FAQ about Capstone
The AP Capstone Diploma is a new AP/College Board program that will be offered as a pilot beginning
the fall of 2014. The follow Q & A is an attempt to answer some of the common questions that have
been asked about the program. Please understand there may be some questions we do not have the
answers to, but as we learn more about the program we will do our best to communicate this
information. We are committed to providing a strong and meaningful academic experience for our
students.
Q:
What is the difference between the IB extended essay and the Research project?
A:
The IB Extended Essay (EE) is a 4,000 word essay that students write, with a mentor, over a 2
year period during their junior and senior year. The mentor is a teacher in the school that
provides guidance and support for the student. The EE’s purpose is to strengthen students’
research, writing, and critical thinking skills. It is independent of their classes, so it demonstrates
students’ responsible nature and their enthusiasm for the acquisition of knowledge.
The AP Capstone Research project is part of the students’ senior year in the capstone program.
Students design, plan, and conduct a yearlong research-based investigation on a topic of interest
to the student. It is done as part of their work in class which is guided and supported by the
classroom teacher. The research program also includes mentors that are experts in the area of
interest the student is researching (in addition to the classroom teacher). Students are also
required to present their research as part of their final AP assessment.
Q:
What will the time commitment look like (for study, group projects, etc.) compared to other
courses?
A:
According to schools that have participated in the Cambridge pilot, the time commitment is
comparable. Schools reported that students busy work/task-oriented work wasn’t as great, but
the level at which they were asked to think and communicate were at a much deeper level. This
was for the seminar year. The Cambridge pilot for the research year is currently in its first few
months.
Q:
What is the difference between the Cambridge Capstone and the AP Capstone?
A:
The AP Capstone program began with the Cambridge Capstone Program. It is in its second pilot
year beginning the research phase. Only 17 schools participated in the Cambridge pilot. In order
to earn the Capstone credential students had to complete the two courses with a 3 or higher on
the corresponding assessments and earn a 3 or higher on a minimum of 3 other AP courses. The
AP Capstone program is independent of Cambridge University and solely implemented through
College Board and the AP program. Nearly 100 schools across the country have been asked to
participate in this phase of the program. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma credential students
have to earn a 3 or higher on the seminar and research components of the assessments and earn
a 3 or higher on a minimum of 4 other AP courses. Students also have the opportunity to earn an
AP Capstone Certificate by completing just the capstone seminar and research courses and
earning the 3 or higher on the corresponding exams.
Q:
Will the assessments be part of a students’ grade?
A:
This has not been determined yet, but it is a definite possibility. Since some of the assessments
are scored internally by trained teachers it is very likely that the assessments will be part of the
students’ grade.
Q:
What was the success level of the students who took the seminar course last year as part of
the Cambridge Pilot?
A:
656 students across the U.S., Canada and Japan took the seminar course. 88% of the students
scored a 3 or higher on the corresponding exams. The average scores for the written exam were
3.3, the individual presentation 3.2 and the team project 3.9 for a combined average of 3.4.
Additionally, over 90% of students reported that it was a positive experience and they would
recommend capstone to other students. (Source: AP Cambridge Pilot, AP Capstone Student
Brochure)
Q:
What has been done to prepare and train teachers involved in this program?
A:
AP requires teachers who teach either seminar or research attend national training. The training
will take place over the summer so teachers will be fully equipped with the tools they need to
teach the course beginning fall 2014. The training will not only help teachers prepare for the
structure of the course and curriculum implementation, but also on scoring the internal
assessments (papers and projects). We have also been in touch with schools from the Cambridge
pilot who are willing to share their experiences and resources with our teachers.
Q:
Who will teach the course?
A:
The teachers will be English teachers so students can earn their English credit through the
program. Teachers who are selected will be experienced teachers who have had experience in AP
and/or dual credit in the past and have a vested interest in being part of this program.
Q:
How will this program better prepare students for college?
A:
Students who go through the program will develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills,
develop research skills, gain a better understanding of the connections between various
academic disciplines, and strengthen their communication skills both verbally and through their
writing. University professors from colleges across the country shared that this fills the gap in
developing critical skills needed for success at the university. Representatives from over 50
universities across the country have been part of the development of this program and have
publicly given statements of support. These schools include, but are not limited to:
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Columbia University
Davidson University
Duke University
Florida State University
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
New York University
Penn State
University of Maryland
University of Michigan
University of Southern California
University of Texas (Austin)
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Yale University
Source: AP Capstone FAQ
Q:
If my child goes to a Canadian University, will they be familiar with the program?
A:
It will probably depend on the university, which is also true for the United States. Toronto had
high schools participate in the Cambridge Pilot. It is unknown whether or not additional
Canadian schools are participating in this year’s AP Pilot.
Q:
What if my son/daughter starts the program and it is not a good match? Can we make a
schedule change?
A:
If a student starts the program and it turns out not to be a good fit, there will be a means to
make needed adjustments to courses that are more appropriate, just as we would do in any
scheduling situation. Counselors will work with students and teachers to try to ensure students
are appropriately placed as much as possible. Both students and parents should understand that
there will probably be some stretch and challenge to these courses and our teachers will be
pushing and challenging the students at the same time that they are providing any needed
scaffolding and support. Students can take the first year, seminar, and decide they do not want
to continue with the research year. They are not locked in to the two-year commitment.
However, seminar is the prerequisite course for research and students cannot take the research
year without taking seminar first.
Q:
I’ve never taken or thought to take an AP course until know. Is Capstone an option for me?
A:
AP Capstone provides an integrated academic experience that propels a diversity of students to
want to achieve more and gives them options for achievement levels. For students who earn the
AP Capstone Diploma, the program complements the discipline-specific rigor of AP coursework
and signifies their outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic
and research skills. Alternatively, because of the focus of AP Capstone on the core academic skills
needed for college success, students who only pursue the two AP Capstone courses can earn the
AP Seminar & Research Certificate™ - signifying that they have attained college-level academic
and research skills.