1. WELCOME TO THE ADVANCED ACADEMICS NIGHT
TOMPKINS HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 30th, 2016
This presentation can be found on the OTHS website (Campus>Academics)

2. This presentation can be found on…
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3. TONIGHT’S AGENDA What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
What are the benefits of taking PreAP and AP?
What data supports AP?
How do I earn college credits from AP?
AP at Tompkins High School
AP Capstone (new for next year)
**Student and Teacher Panel**
Q&A with AP Students and Teachers

4. History of Advanced Placement
Created in mid-1950s to close learning gap between high school and college
College Board (SAT designers) took over AP program in 1956
Now over 2.3 million students take AP exams every year in 34 subjects

5. What are AP courses?
Courses designed to give you the experience of an intro-level college class while still in high school
AP Exams measure the mastery of college-level work
College credit can be earned by earning certain scores on the AP exam, given in the spring

6. Reasons to Take AP
Challenge yourself academically and show colleges that you are serious about your education
AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences
Shows academic interest in a particular field (e.g. an aspiring engineer taking and passing AP Calculus and AP Physics)

7. Top Factors Affecting College Admissions Decisions
1. Grades in college preparatory courses
(eg: AP/IB)
2. Strength of high school curriculum (eg: AP/IB)
3. Standardized admission test scores
4. Overall high school GPA
National Assoc. of College Admission Counselors 2013 Annual Survey

9. AP Exams – What are They?
Test of all that has been learned in the AP class
Taken in May, optional but strongly recommended
Taking the class and passing the exam shows that you are able to handle college-level work
$97 per exam*
Exchange your score (3+) for college credit ($$$)
* Reduced cost for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch

10. Can I earn college credit or placement just by taking the AP course?
Colleges and universities only give credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP course grades. Without a corresponding AP Exam grade, they can’t verify that the AP courses you take are true college-level courses.
“One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.”
William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Harvard University
“The confirmation that college-level learning took place is in the published results. The AP Exam grade is a national standard that I can understand and rely upon.”
Joellen L. Silberman, Dean of Enrollment, Kalamazoo College

11. Texas Bill Passed - AP Scores
Texas passed a bill in 2015 requiring state colleges and universities to award credit for AP scores 3 or higher!!
Research your college interest for specifics

12. $ave $ave $ave for College!!
If you earn a qualifying grade on an AP Exam, you can receive credit for the equivalent course at thousands of colleges and universities.
This could save you as much as $3,000 per course.
“I took AP throughout high school because it was the most interesting and well-taught program offered. When I reached college, I realized that I had accumulated a year’s worth of credits. I graduated from Michigan’s undergraduate business school a full year early, saving $30,000 and a year’s time.”
Nikki Baker, University of Michigan

14. How Are the Exams Scored?
MULTIPLE CHOICE
FREE RESPONSE
No. of questions (40-60)
Graded by a computer
No deductions for incorrect or blank answers
Number of correct answers
No. of questions (3-6), depends on course
Graded in June at AP Reading Convention made up of AP Teachers and college professors
Scores from both assessments are combined to make a composite score, which are then weighted for a subject.
Ex. AP English = m/c 45%, free response 55%
Composite scores are between 100 or 150
College Board does not release detailed scoring data – You will only receive a number between 1 and 5

15. What’s the difference between credit and placement?
Colleges and universities formulate an AP policy appropriate to their institution:
Some award “credit” for qualifying AP Exam grades. This means you actually earn credit toward your college degree.
Others award “advanced placement.” This means you can skip introductory courses, enter higher-level classes, and/or fulfill general education requirements.
Many colleges and universities offer both credit and placement.
At Princeton University, for example, students can use qualifying AP Exam grades to:
Graduate in three or three-and-a-half years.
Enter upper-level courses.
Fulfill a foreign language requirement.

16. Participation in AP National Perspective – Class of 2014 – Public Schools

17. AP – Myth vs. Reality Myth Reality
AP courses are for students who always get good grades.
AP courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses.
AP courses are too stressful.
It's no secret that AP courses are challenging. But the support you receive from your classmates and teachers can help you manage the work load.
I don't think I will score high enough on the AP Exam to get college credit.
You don’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit — and placement as well — based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.
<Describe any extra weighting for AP course grades that your school may offer.> Taking AP courses shows colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself academically.
I can’t take AP because no one has recommended me.
If you think you’re ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for yourself — just talk to a teacher or counselor.

18. KATY ISD ADVANCED ACADEMICS
Vision:
The Katy ISD Program enables and encourages students to graduate from high school with at least one advanced academic credit (AP or Dual Credit)
The KISD Participation in the Advanced Academic Program represents the student demographics of each campus
The KISD Advanced Academic Program provides support systems designed to increase enrollment and success

19. Belief Statements:
Participation in one or more advanced academic courses is a foundation of college readiness
Students, parents, teachers, counselors, and administration recognizes the value to the student of taking one or more advanced academic courses
Students may require additional encouragement and support to be successful in advanced academic courses
Teacher attitudes, beliefs, and expectations impact student success and participation
Vertical alignment of content, skills, and habits of mind support student success in advanced academics

20. Teacher Preparation Katy ISD – AP District Advisory Council
AP Summer Institutes (e.g. Rice University)
Course Syllabus authorized by College Board
PreAP teachers attend district trainings
Teachers follow KISD written curriculum
Campus meetings with teachers and counselors for input (AP Campus Advisory)

21. The number of students taking AP exams—23.5% from 2010
KISD has experienced increases in:
The number of students taking AP exams—23.5% from 2010
The number of exams
24.7% increase in number of exams from 2010 .

22. KISD AP EXAMS
2014
2015
2016
Change
Number of AP Exams
8,817
10,226
11,577
+13.2%
Percentage of
3, 4, 5s
80%
76%
75%
-1%
Number of 3, 4, 5s
7,056
7,797
8,668
+11.2% 
Students
3,673
4,156
4,835
+16.33%

23. 2016 TOMPKINS AP DATA Total Students: 804 Total Exams: 1790
Average Score: 3.44
3 or higher: 79% (+4% from 2015)

24. AP SCHOLAR AWARDS AP Scholar (114) AP Scholar with Honors (55)
Total Number of Students: 221
AP Scholar (114)
3 or higher on three or more exams
AP Scholar with Honors (55)
Avg. score of 3.25 on all exams taken and 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
AP Scholar with Distinction (25)
Avg. score of 3.5 on all exams and 3 or higher on five or more of these exams
National AP Scholar (27)
Avg. score of 4 on all exams taken and scores 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

25. AP Courses Offered at OTHS
Arts
AP Art History
AP Music Theory
AP Studio Art 2-D Design
AP Studio Art Drawing
AP Studio Art 3-D Design
English
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
History & Social Sciences
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Human Geography
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP United States Government & Politics
AP United States History
AP World History
AP Microeconomics
AP European History
STEM
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science A
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Statistics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C: Mechanics
World Languages & Cultures
AP Chinese Language and Culture
AP French Language and Culture
AP German Language and Culture
AP Spanish Language and Culture
AP Italian Language and Culture
AP Capstone
AP Seminar (coming Fall 2017)
AP Research

26. To be implemented for the Fall of 2017
COMING SOON…!!!!
AP CAPSTONE
To be implemented for the Fall of 2017

31. Should I Take an AP Class?
Are you ready for a challenge/self-motivator?
Are you able to persevere when it gets hard?
Are you committed to the class?
Are you willing to put forth the required effort?
Are you willing to establish a strong relationship with your teacher?
Do you understand that this is different from PreAP?

32. AP Student and Teacher Forum
Student Panel
Brett Dolotina – 12th
Kiersten Potter – 12th
Zac Steudel – 12th
Andrew Kennedy – 2016 Graduate (currently at A&M)
Teacher Panel
Amy Frey – AP English Language
Lauri Crestani – AP Calculus BC
Monica Birtwistle – AP World History

33. This presentation can be found on…
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34. HAVE A GREAT EVENING!!