The
Advanced
Placement
®
Program
Mesquite ISD
What is an “AP” Course?
• AP stands for “Advanced Placement”
• AP classes are taught at the college level
• This means more independent reading
• Students are expected to do more outside research and
work
• The College Board offers tests for each AP class
• Students take AP tests in May
• Students can earn college credit based on their AP
test scores
AP and College Success™
70
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.
61
60
45
50
40
29
30
20
10
0
No AP
No
AP
One AP
1 AP
Course
Two+ AP
2+ AP
Courses
Factors in Admission Decisions
Factor
Considerable
Moderate
Grades in college prep
79.9%
14.4%
Strength of curriculum
63.8
23.9
Admission test scores
58.5
30.9
Grades in all courses
51.6
40.1
Essay or writing sample
25.8
37.9
Class rank
23.4
43.8
Demonstrated interest
22.0
30.3
Counselor recommendation
21.1
40.4
Teacher recommendation
20.8
40.0
Interview
10.8
23.7
Source: NACAC 2008 State of College Admissions Report
AP Credit and Placement
Policy Information
Colleges and universities throughout the world offer
credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced
Placement Exam scores. Information about AP credit
and placement policies at many colleges and
universities is now available on the College Board’s
Web site:
www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy
AP Credit and Placement
Policy Information
1.
Go to
www.collegeboard.com/creditandplacement/
search-credit-policies.
2.
Type in the name of the college or
university whose AP policy you want
to view (or browse by letter of the
alphabet).
3.
You will see two things for each school that
has provided their AP credit policy info:
• A link to the college’s own Web page that
details its AP credit and placement policies.
• A statement by the college or university about
its AP policy.
Student Participation
The purpose of an Advanced
Placement course is to prepare
students for the AP test in May.
Students are expected to take the AP
exam for all AP classes taken.
Work begins the first day of class!
Some classes have summer
assignments
What are the requirements for taking an AP class?
(Teacher completes this recommendation)
Personal Criteria:
GT Student Y N
Strong study skills and self-motivational skills
Self-discipline that enables the student to plan, organize,
and carry out tasks to completion
Interest and academic strength in this particular subject
Academic Criteria:
Reading on or above grade level (as demonstrated by meeting the
standard on STAAR ELA tests)
Proficient oral and written communication skills
Most recent score on the STAAR End of Course Exam is Level 2 or
higher.
Semester Grade average of 85 or higher in the class/course of the
subject area.
Teacher recommendation if the semester grade is below 85 in the
subject area/course (written)
If I sign up for an AP class, can I get out of it?
 District expectation is that students remain in
enrolled course.
 We ask that the student AND parent sign the AP
contract, and therefore expect the commitment to
be honored
 A “seat” is reserved for your student
 AP teachers are trained to assist all students;
success is our goal!
AP Exam fees
For Spanish, History, Art and
Psychology exams:
•Total cost to student is $89 per exam
$15 deposit
$74 balance
•Students on free / reduced lunch pay
$15 per test
AP Exam fees
For all Math, Science and English
exams:
•Total cost to student is $69 per exam
$15 deposit
$54 balance
•Students on free / reduced lunch pay
$15 per test
AP Courses offered
English
Language
English
Literature
Spanish
Language
Spanish
Literature
Calculus
AB
US
History
Government
Economics
Psychology
Biology
Environmental
Science
Chemistry
Studio Art:
Drawing
Studio Art:
2D
Studio Art:
3D
Statistics
Human
Geography
Physics
World
History
Calculus
BC
Benefits of Taking AP Classes
• Confidence
• Better study habits
• Improved writing skills
• Improved problem-solving skills
• Tuition savings / College credit (based on
AP Test scores)
• Increased grade points
• Strengthened college admission portfolio
Distinguished Achievement Program
Students complete:
• the recommended plan
• a third year of foreign language
• earn 4 advanced measures
DAP - Advanced Measures
(1) original research/project
(2) test data where a student receives:
(A) a score of three or above on the College Board advanced
placement examination;
(B) a score on the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test
(PSAT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a
commended scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship
Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program
of the College Board or as part of the National Achievement
Scholarship Program for Outstanding African American
Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
(3) college academic courses, advanced technical credit courses,
and dual credit courses, including local articulation, with a
grade of 3.0 or higher.
PSAT and SAT Prep
• www.collegeboard.com has
•
•
•
•
•
Sample questions
Full tests for practice
On-line prep course
SAT Question of the Day
Personalized Study Plan
• SAT Boot Camp at JHHS
• Naviance – “Prep Me”
• Many books with test prep help
Dual Credit Classes
• Classes offered through Eastfield
• Students receive both college and high school
credit (hence “DUAL” credit)
• Some are on the Eastfield campus and some are on
the JHHS campus
• Two classes offered on campus:
• DC English 4 (ENGL 1301 & 1302)
• DC US Government (GOVT 2305)
Dual Credit (cont.)
• Students must apply and complete some testing
through Eastfield
• Classes are FREE for Dual Credit students
• See your student’s counselor for the application
packet and process
Questions?