Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Program Updates South Carolina Department of Education January 8, 2013 Rick Blanchard, Education Associate

Agenda Advanced Placement (AP) – Requirements – Exam fees – Performance – Finding AP Students – Resources International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam Fees US Department of Education Grant details

AP Requirements State Board of Education Regulations: – Defined Programs 9-12 V. Instructional Program C. Schools must also offer instruction in each of the following areas: 1. Advanced Placement: Schools whose organizational structure includes grades eleven and twelve must offer Advanced Placement courses. (For specific regulations regarding the Advanced Placement program, see R , Advanced Placement.)

AP Requirements Advanced Placement II. SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT OFFERINGS All secondary schools whose organizational structure includes grades 11 or 12 shall offer an AP course(s). * Usage of the AP offerings through SC Virtual School Program is allowable. Dual credit offerings are not an allowable substitute for AP courses.

AP Teacher Endorsement Required for each subject area by Regulation SC endorsement requirements exceed those in other states (45 hours of College Board approved Professional Development (PD) of our instate institutes versus 30 hours of PD in other states). Please do not send teachers to an out of state course without verifying the course will meet SC requirements.

Endorsement Continued SC grant funded AP Teacher Institutes- – Offered around the state, but Clemson is the main provider. – Offer about 20 courses each summer – Covers tuition and supplies for teachers – Does not cover travel, graduate registration, meals, or lodging – Most offer one week on site and one week online

Endorsement Continued Classes will be announced in early February on AP web site at South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) ( services/119/). Funding is provided by Proviso 1A.32. AP endorsement is currently suspended by budget proviso 1A.32, but the courses are being offered. The endorsement suspension may be dropped this legislative session.

AP Exam Fees SCDE pays for the AP exam fees for public school students through an annual Letter of Agreement with the College Board, which saves everyone money and helps to minimize any financial barriers for students. Information will be sent to schools in March on the proper invoicing process. Schools must follow the process for exam fee payment.

AP Exam Fees SC legislature and budgeting process provides for the AP exam fees through Proviso 1A.35, which sets aside $2,455,000 for these exams. All school invoices must be approved by SCDE and submitted to College Board and SCDE by June 15, 2013, to be eligible for payment.

Key Highlights: Advanced Placement 2012 South Carolina has maintained quality in AP Exam performance while dramatically expanding access to a more diverse student population. The number of Public School students taking AP Exams increased by 14%, compared to 6.4% for the Total Group in the last year. The number of Public School students taking AP Exams has increased by 45%, compared to 34.7% for the Total Group in the last five years. The number of AP Exams taken by Public School students increased by 10.5%, compared to 7.0% for the Total Group in the last year. The number of AP Exams taken by Public School students has increased by 42.6%, compared to 36.6% for the Total Group in the last five years.

Key Highlights Continued The number of African American test takers in SC Public Schools has increased by 30%, compared to 45.8% for the Total Group in the last five years. The percentage of African American test takers in Public Schools scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam increased by 17.9%, compared to 12.5% for the nation in the last year. The number of Hispanic test takers in Public Schools has increased by 92%, compared to 59.9% for the Total Group in the last five years. The percentage of Hispanic tests takers in Public Schools scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam increased by 22%, compared to 14% for the Nation in the last year. The percentage of test takers in Public Schools scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam has increased by 42.6%, compared to 40.4% for the Total Group in the last five years.

Few districts use AP Potential to recommend students for AP - leaving many high-potential students out of rigorous courses (Opportunity for Rigor Gap). 12 What factors do you use in recommending a student to enroll in an AP course? Select all that apply Source: 2012 AP Participation Survey: 13,262 respondents

13 Note: “AP Potential” is defined here as a 70% or greater likelihood of scoring a 3 or higher on an AP Exam. These data are based on projections from the 2 million students PSAT/NMSQT test takers in the class of 2010 Asian 42% 58% White 62% 38% Hispanic/Latino 70% 30% Black/African American 80% 20% Took Recommended AP Did Not Take Recommended AP Among students with high AP potential, Latino and African American students are the least likely to gain access to AP. 13

Students with high potential of being successful in AP with PSAT and AP Potential can be easily identified. 14 Helps schools grow their AP programs by identifying students who have the potential to succeed in rigorous AP courses. Online tool that generates rosters of students likely to score 3 or better on a given AP Exam Free for all schools that administer the PSAT/NMSQT (PN) Designed to expand access to AP and ensure that no student with the potential to succeed in overlooked School can customize the list and define the pool of students based on likelihood level (e.g. students are 50% likely to score a 3/4/5 vs. 70% likely) The Tool provides a list of students that fit this criteria and are strong candidates for AP College Board can provide specialized training to your District on this tool

AP Potential Tips Export data into an Excel spreadsheet to make it easy to read and use. Create letters to parents. AP Potential ™ provides sample letters in English and Spanish. TIP

SC AP Day: February 12, SC AP Day Recognition Application The SC Department of Education and the College Board cordially invite you to participate in the first official SC AP Champion Award application. AP ® is a globally recognized academic program built on the commitment, passion, and hard work of educators from around the world who provide motivated and academically prepared students the opportunity to succeed at college-level studies while still in high school. AP provides students with an opportunity for learning that goes beyond just facts and figures, by teaching students how to read critically, solve problems analytically, and write clearly—skills vital to success in college. Through AP’s college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit and stand out in the college admissions process. From the children of migrant workers to students in isolated rural communities, policymakers and educators are ensuring that traditionally underserved students are part of the AP experience. One winner and one runner up will be selected from the state. Additional special recognition will be provided for innovative ideas and cooperative multiple party efforts. Any individual school, school district or public/private charter school is eligible for the “AP Champion” Award. Applications may be submitted by an individual participant, AP Coordinator, or school administrator. Please include photos, PowerPoint, or other supporting documents that will enhance your application. Deadlines: In order to be considered, evidence of the SC AP Day must be received by March 30, Applications may be submitted electronically or ) or through the mail. Please submit completed application and relevant attachments to the SC AP Day Recognition College Board, SRO 3700 Crestwood Parkway #700 Duluth, GA 30096

Achieving Equity: A 7-Point Plan Source: AP and Traditionally Underserved Students; AP Research Brief, January Announce a major commitment to equity in AP. District Launch high-profile public campaigns to increase student access to and success in AP courses. 2 Conduct an inventory of current AP offerings and capacity. District Determine extent and rigor of AP offerings in high schools as well as effectiveness of teacher training for Pre-AP and AP courses. 3 Support teacher professional development for AP and Pre- AP teachers. District Offer year-round training for AP and Pre-AP teachers and hands-on professional development for school and district leaders. 4 Align middle and high school curricula. District Incorporate state, local and College Board standards to ensure that students have the opportunity to be prepared for success in an AP course through their previous course work. 5 Use AP Potential to identify prospective AP students. District Administer the PSAT/NMSQT to all 10 th and 11 th graders; use the free AP Potential program to identify those students likely to succeed on AP Exams, based on those scores. ( 6 Mandate AP course offerings. District Require all high schools to offer AP courses in at least the four core areas: Mathematics, Science, English and Social Studies 7Offset the AP Exam fee for low-income students. State paysCombine federal funds and the College Board AP Fee Reduction to make the AP Exams free for all students from low-income families.

Rural School Initiative

S O S SOAS* *Summary of Answers & Skills BONUS!

SOAS Resources Supporting Materials

Page(s) Title Page Performance Overview1 Skills Analysis2, 6-7, 11 Question Analysis3-4, 8-9, Comparable Group Analysis5, 10, 14 Report Orientation Table of Contents

Number of students in report Mean scores and score distribution College Readiness Benchmarks Performance Overview Page 1

Pages: 2, 6-7, 11 Skills Analysis Skills Triangles show a comparison to the state and nation Each test question is linked to a skill

Pages: 3-4, 8-9, Question Analysis Student responses and answer patterns Comparisons to the state and nation

AP Honor Roll

IB Exam Fees The US Department of Education issues a grant (which SCDE was awarded for 2012) that provides IB exam “reimbursement” for Reduced Fee Students only. Specific information will be forthcoming for high schools with an IB Diploma Programme. Schools will be required to maintain documentation on lunch status or other qualifying information.

Questions and Closing Thoughts

For More Information Visit AP web site on SCDE at services/119 services/119 Visit IB web site on SCDE at services/127 services/127 Contact Rick Blanchard,