Pearland ISD AP Capstone ™ Program

Introducing - AP Capstone is an innovative program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills valued by colleges. The program is based on two new skills-based AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research Emphasizes Critical Skills Needed for College & Beyond Complements the in-depth subject- matter study in AP The AP Capstone program empowers students to: synthesize information from multiple perspectives apply skills in new situations and cross-curricular contexts collect and analyze information with accuracy and precision craft, communicate, and defend evidence-based arguments practice disciplined and scholarly research skills while exploring relevant topics that appeal to their interests and curiosity.

Pearland ISD GRIT Initiative – “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” Students with “Grit” embrace hard work, critical thinking, and difficult challenges. Cross-Curricular Support Capstone does not belong to one content area. The focus of AP Seminar and AP Research is to develop skills that apply to all content areas. The Opportunity

Two Courses – Two Levels of Distinction A flexible two-course program that engages students in rigorous college-level curricula while promoting the critical skills needed for success in college and beyond. 4 Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™

 Investigate real-world topics from multiple perspectives  Carefully analyze information, write evidence-based arguments and effectively communicate them  Work independently and with a team to research a topic, develop a written report and deliver a presentation AP Seminar Students learn how to: 1.Team Project & Presentation 25% 2. Individual Essay & Presentation 35% 3.Written Exam 40% Exam score based on: Teachers & Students select and study 2-4 topics. Example Topics Democracy Education Revolution Freedom Protest Technology Sustainability Example Topics Democracy Education Revolution Freedom Protest Technology Sustainability Offered in 11 th grade.

 Design, plan, and conduct a year-long mentored, research- based investigation  Apply research methods and practices to address a real-world topic selected by the student  Write a college-level research paper, present and orally defend the findings and research methodology AP Research Students learn how to: 1.Research Process 15% 2.Academic Thesis Paper (~5,000 words) 70% 3.Public Presentation and Oral Defense 15% Exam score based on: AP Seminar is a prerequisite to AP Research.

 136 inaugural schools launched the program in fall 2014  ~235 additional schools will implement AP Capstone in fall 2015  Over 370 schools will be participating in the AP Capstone program in the 2015 – 16 academic year 13% of schools are from outside the US 85% of schools are U.S. public schools AP Capstone will reach over 360 schools in 39 states domestically and 25 countries worldwide in

8 Some of the 100+ colleges and universities that have endorsed AP Capstone for its rigorous interdisciplinary curricula

AP Capstone Seminar Course: The Framework

Students learn how to:  Investigate academic and real-world topics from multiple perspectives  Gather and analyze information from various sources  Develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments  Conduct research and evaluate evidence  Collaborate in teams  Communicate using appropriate media AP Seminar Overview AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Example Topics Discovery Diversity Education Government Identity Immigration Liberty Myth Networks Perception Place Power Revolution Selection Sustainability Transformation Wealth and Poverty Example Topics Discovery Diversity Education Government Identity Immigration Liberty Myth Networks Perception Place Power Revolution Selection Sustainability Transformation Wealth and Poverty 10

1 st Semester Research Skills Critical Thinking Skills Analytical Reading Skills Presentation Skills Advanced Research-Based Writing Skills MLA format, correctly citing materials Creating an argument from evidence 2 nd Semester Official College Board Assessments Course Year at a Glance

Due to the nature of the course, students will receive less grades in AP Seminar than in traditional classes. Daily grades: 40% in Skyward In-class individual and group activities Check-points on major grades Weekly group reflections Debates & discussions Major Grades: 60% in Skyward Major writing assignments: long-term projects Formal presentations EOC practice assignments Grading Policies

Late work will not be accepted. Long-term assignments will be submitted electronically and can be submitted from any location. Late Work

AP Capstone Seminar: The Assessments

AP Seminar: Assessments 15 Students’ attainment of skills are assessed using two through course performance tasks and an End-of Course Exam resulting in a 1 – 5 AP score. Assessment TaskWeight Team Project and Presentation Individual Research and Reflection Written Team Report Team Multimedia Presentation and Defense 25% Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation Individual Written Argument Individual Multimedia Presentation Oral Defense 35% End-of-Course Exam Analyze an argument Compare the effectiveness of two arguments Construct an evidence-based argument 40%

Team Project and Presentation 25% of total AP score Individual research paper (1200 words) and reflection (800 words) – 6.25% Written team report (3000 words) – 12.5% Team multimedia presentation and defense (8-10 minutes, plus defense questions) – 6.25% Tentative Due Date: February 2016 Performance Assessments: Task One

Research-Based Essay and Presentation (Individual) 35% of total AP score Written argument (2000 words) Multimedia presentation (6-8 minutes) Oral defense Tentative Due Date: Mid-March 2016 Performance Assessments: Task Two

End-of-Course Exam Three short answer questions – assess analysis of argument in single source or document First essay question Close reading of two documents Comparative analysis and evaluation of authors’ arguments Second essay question – assess skills in synthesizing and creating argument May 2016 All graded by College Board Performance Assessments: Task Three

The College Board scores all submissions and issues an evaluation of college readiness based on a 1 – 5 scale. A score of 3 or higher is considered passing Seminar Global Score Distribution: 11.7% scored 4, 4.8% scored 5 Pearland ISD grades have no bearing or influence on this College Board score. Through-course assessments will not be given a PISD grade. Checkpoints throughout the semester will be used for in-class grades. PISD Grades versus College Board Grades

Students will complete Tasks I and II in class during the second semester. They must complete these tasks to earn local grades. The EOC test in May is not optional for this course. PISD will cover the $139 exam fee because all tasks are mandatory. All Assessment Tasks are Mandatory

AP Capstone Program: ATTENDANCE

Due to the nature of this course ALL absences are magnified. This is especially true in January and February. AP Capstone Attendance

AP Capstone Program: The Benefits

Benefits for Students

George McKendree Sarah McKinney Teachers

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