jefferson west ap program welcome. congratulations!! you are here because your son or daughter has...
TRANSCRIPT
Congratulations!!
You are here because your son or daughter has risen to the challenge of taking an advanced placement class.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Largest credit by exam program in the world Began in 1950’s Dramatically expanded through 1990’s & 2000’s
as the gold standard of academic excellence Jeff West has had AP classes since 2006. In 2009 there were 2,168,185 exams taken across
the nation. 33 Exams were taken at Jefferson West.
enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Based on their performance on a rigorous AP examination, students can earn credit, advanced placement, or both, for college.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP)
AP Courses are designed by a committee of
leaders in their fields who bring cutting edge
content knowledge and expert teaching
practices to the development of AP courses,
which are reviewed and revised annually. AP
committee members currently teach at dozens
of the nation’s top colleges, universities, and
secondary schools.
What do AP Programs do for High Schools?
Provide a challenging academic program for motivated students
Provide a rewarding professional development opportunity for teachers
Demonstrates a school’s strong commitment to high academic standards
Enhances a school’s overall academic reputation
Prepare Now to Succeed in CollegeA 1999 U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college:Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school—and AP courses in particular.Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.
AP Program
38 courses offered in 19 subject areas
JEFF WEST currently offers 7 coursesJEFF WEST currently offers 7 courses
AP Course Offerings
Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Chinese Lang. and Culture
Computer Science A
Computer Science AB
English Lang. and Comp.
English Lit. and Comp.
Environmental Science
European History
French Language
French Literature
German Language
Government & Politics: Comp.
Government & Politics: U.S.
Human Geography
Italian Lang. and Culture
Japanese Lang. and Culture
Latin Language Latin: Vergil Macro-
Economics
Micro-
Economics
Music Theory Physics B Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Physics C:
Mechanics
Psychology Russian Lang.
and Culture*
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics Studio Art:
2D Design
Studio Art:
3D Design
Studio Art: Drawing
United States History
World History
AP Program Facts
Over 60% of U.S. high schools participate
Over 90% of U.S. colleges & universities have AP policy granting credit, placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam grades
Responsibilities of AP® Students
• A willingness to actively engage with sophisticated concepts
• A willingness to be judged by rigorous, college-level standards
• A willingness to complete longer and more complex nightly assignments
• A willingness to complete the AP examination in May
Cost of taking an AP Course
There are no fees for an AP course
There is a fee for the exam at the end of the
course if the student chooses to take the exam.
This year the cost will be $86.00 per exam.
Should my child take the exam at the end?
This is decision that you and your child need to sit down and discuss.
There are benefits from AP classes whether or not they take the exam, however the only way to receive credit or placement is to take the exam.
• outperforming their peers when placed into advanced courses
• are more likely to take advanced courses in their AP subject areas
• are more likely to choose challenging majors
• are more likely to graduate with a double major
• are twice as likely to go into advanced studies
Benefits from AP classes even without taking the exam at the end include….
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Factors Influencing Admission Decisions – 2001
NACAC Bulletin – November 2001
Stand out in the admissions process“One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.”
—William R. FitzsimmonsDean of Admissions, Harvard University
“AP Exams affirm the rigor of a student’s course work. Though admissions policies vary, if I were a student, I wouldn’t assume that the college of my dreams didn’t care about AP Exams in the admissions process.”
—Bruce Walker, Director of AdmissionsUniversity of Texas at Austin
AP and College SuccessAP and College Success
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No APOne APTwo+ AP
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.
Source: Camara, Wayne. (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.
Taking the end-of-course AP Exam sends a
powerful message to colleges and universities
that you’re ready for them, and can enable
your son or daughter to gain admission,
college credit and placement into advanced
courses.
Credit versus Placement
Some give credit some give placement Credit – actually earn college hours toward
your college degree Placement- allows you to skip introductory
courses, enter higher level classes, and/or fulfill general education requirements (thus skipping some classes that you will not have to take and pay for).
Why Colleges Grant Credit for AP Grades
College faculty participate in development of course descriptions and examinations
College faculty set standards for and participate in AP Reading
AP courses and exams are updated regularly College comparability studies are conducted Benefits of participating in AP are supported
by research
AP Examinations
• Administered in May
• Approximately three hours long
• Composed of multiple-choice and
free-response questions
• AP Examination grades range from 1 to 5
• Cost- $86.00 per exam
AP Examination GradesAP Examination Grades� 5 - Extremely Well Qualified� Statistically equates to high As in the comparable � college course� 4 - Well Qualified� Statistically equates to low As and high Bs in the � comparable college course� 3 – Qualified� Statistically equates to low Bs and high Cs in the � comparable college course� 2 - Possibly Qualified� Statistically equates to low Cs and high Ds in the � comparable college course� 1 - No Recommendation
To get credit or placement they will have to score a 3 or higher- so just taking the test does not guarantee credit or placement.
How do I know if the college my son or daughter is planning on attending gives credit or placement?
For the most up to date information, check directly with college or university office of admissions.
Can also go to: www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy
Is it worth the $86.00?
College credit hours currently run: $245.30 /hr @ KU $206.20/hr @KSU $219.00/hr @ESU $201.00/hr @ WU so a 3 hour course at college will cost
somewhere in the $600.00 – $740.00 range- this year. Passing the exam @ $86.00 for 3 credit hours is quite a savings.
But remember, if you start saving now- $86.00 won’t be so hard to afford in May.
One last thing to consider: If they are putting in all the time and work, why not
reap the benefits?
Please consider all the facts and make a decision that is best for your family.
Whichever route you decide to Whichever route you decide to go….go…. Your child is going to benefit.Your child is going to benefit. They are going to need to set aside some They are going to need to set aside some
extra time for their AP classesextra time for their AP classes They will have more outside class work They will have more outside class work
than they have in a regular h.s. classthan they have in a regular h.s. class They will be pushing themselves to achieve They will be pushing themselves to achieve
more than the average studentmore than the average student They will be getting the rigor of a college They will be getting the rigor of a college
course before they go to college while at course before they go to college while at the same time having excellent teachers the same time having excellent teachers and resources here to assist them.and resources here to assist them.