1. An Introduction to the Advanced Placement Program®
Challenge Early College High School

2. Welcome
Challenge Early College High School is committed to every student’s success. We believe access to rigorous course work such as Advanced Placement® (AP®) plays an important role in that success.

3. What We'll Cover What are Advanced Placement® Courses? The Benefits
AP® Exams
What Is It Like to Take AP?
Next Steps: Help Your Student Make the Best Choices
Q & A

4. Christopher and Christian Perez
All In
Christopher and Christian Perez

5. What Are Advanced Placement® Courses?

6. Advanced Placement ®: The Basics
AP® courses are college-level courses offered in high school
Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
Students take AP Exams at the end of the course, measuring their mastery of college-level work
A score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college

7. Our AP® Courses AP Capstone: AP Seminar *COMING SOON!
English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
History and Social Sciences: Human Geography, Macroeconomics, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History
Mathematics: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1: Algebra-based
World languages: Spanish Language and Culture

8. AP® at Challenge Early College High School
13 AP courses offered in the school year.
832 exams taken!
83.3 % of the seniors for 2016 scored a “3” or higher on at least one AP Exam at some point during AP coursework.

9. AP® at Challenge Early College High School
43 AP Scholars
Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
10 AP Scholars with Honor
Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
4 AP Scholars with Distinction
Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

10. AP®: The Benefits

11. AP®: The Benefits
Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills
Taking AP is valued in the college admission process
AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences
Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college

12. AP® from the College Admissions Perspective
85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions*
Colleges rank grades in college-preparatory courses and strength of curriculum as the two top factors in the admission decision
AP courses tell college admission officials that students are challenging themselves and preparing for the rigors they'll encounter in their college careers
*Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc., March 2007

13. The impact of AP credit and placement on the college experience
College and AP
The impact of AP credit and placement on the college experience

14. AP®: Skills & Advantages that Last a Lifetime
Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for college success
Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers*
*2009, The College Board, “The Relationship Between AP Exam Performance and College Outcomes"

15. AP® Helps Students Graduate on Time & Save Money
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a college degree on time.* Graduating in four years represents a significant savings on the cost of college.
Only 1 in 4 college students completes a bachelor’s degree in 4 years.
The average cost of college for a single year is $23,410** for in- state schools (tuition, fees, room/board, misc. expenses).
*College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences, The College Board, **The College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2014, Figure 1

16. AP® Expands Students’ Options
When students earn college credit through AP Exams, their options and opportunities expand:
Move to upper-level college courses sooner
Pursue a double major
Gain time to study and travel abroad

17. AP®: A More Engaging Learning Experience
AP courses challenge students to work and participate at a higher level:
Opportunities to explore topics in depth
More time in and out of the classroom required to complete assignments and projects
High expectations for critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evidence, multiple perspectives, and clear written and verbal communications

18. AP® Exams

19. All In
Jairron Isaac

20. AP® Exams
AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates in May each year.
Exams are typically 2–3 hours and include:
Multiple-choice questions
Free-response items such as essays, problem solving, document-based questions and oral response

21. AP® Exam Fees $0 student cost for exams!
The exam fee for 2016 was $93 per exam.
$0 student cost for exams!
The total cost for the AP exams was $69, (HISD pays the full cost for the AP Exams, but there is a reduction in fees for Title I eligible students)
Lunch applications are VERY important!

22. Credit and Placement Opportunities
AP Course
TAMU
Course Equivalent
Score needed
Credit Hours
English Language & Comp.
ENGL 104 3
ENGL 104 and 241 4 6
English Literature & Comp.
ENGL 104 & 203
U.S. History
HIST 105 & 106
Physics 1
PHYS 201
Statistics
STAT 301, 302, or 303

23. A junior takes U.S. History, English Language, and Physics 1
Scenario
A junior takes U.S. History, English Language, and Physics 1
The students places with a 3 on each exam.
They have now earned 13 credit hours.
They need less courses for their associates degree.
They have saved money!
TAMU Undergraduate Tuition Cost is $3, to $4, for 12 credit hours!

24. Average First Year GPA Texas Public Colleges or Universities
Passed AP Exam*
Took, Did Not Pass AP Exam*
Did Not Take AP Exam*
White
(37,004 students)
3.11
2.72
2.35
Hispanic
(18,019 students)
2.87
2.42
2.03
African-American
(7,312 students)
2.81
2.47
1.93
Low-Income
(15,167 students)
2.95
2.45
2.01
*AP Exams in core academic subjects of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies
Based on group of students graduating in 1998, and Enrolling in a Texas Public College or University (67,863 students).
Source: National Center for Educational Accountability

25. Took, Did Not Pass AP Exam*
Students Completing 3 Years of College Texas Public Colleges or Universities
Passed AP Exam*
Took, Did Not Pass AP Exam*
Did Not Take AP Exam*
White
(37,004 students)
72%
62%
41%
Hispanic
(18,019 students)
68%
54%
31%
African-American
(7,312 students)
65%
56%
29%
Low-Income
(15,167 students)
52%
27%

26. What is it like to take AP®?

27. AP® Myths & Realities 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.
Presenter: This is a good time to address any other “myths” or misperceptions that you hear from your students about the AP program.

28. AP® Myths & Realities Myth Reality
Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.
AP courses are on a 5 point scale (earning a 70 is equivalent to an 80)
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, college access coordinator, or dean.
Presenter: This is a good time to address any other “myths” or misperceptions that you hear from your students about the AP program.

29. What are AP Courses Like?
AP courses typically demand more of students than regular or PreAP courses.
Classes are fast-paced and cover more material than typical high school classes.
More time, inside and outside of the classroom, is required to complete lessons, assignments and homework.
AP teachers expect students to fulfill all course requirements.

30. Our School Offers Support for AP® Students
Our school offers these resources and programs to support our AP students:
High quality teachers
After school tutorials
Saturday Review Sessions
Online resources

31. Teachers and AP students
Teachers describe how they help students succeed in AP classes

32. Next Steps: Help Your Child Make the Best Choices

33. AP® Sequence at Challenge Early College High School
Freshman
Senior
Human Geography
Biology
Sophomore
Calculus AB
World History
Chemistry
Junior
U.S. History
Macroeconomics
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
Physics 1
U.S. Government and Politics
Statistics

34. Parent/Guardian Role
Convey the seriousness of performing at a high academic level while enrolled in course.
Continually encourage student throughout the year.
Homework completion is imperative.
Expect a learning curve which may impact grades.
Guide them with using time wisely.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

35. AP®: Resources Worth Exploring for Students and Families
AP information: apstudent.collegeboard.org
College and Career Planning: bigfuture.org
Personalized feedback, practice and college planning based on your PSAT/NMSQT® results: My College QuickStart™
AP credit policy information from colleges and universities:

36. All In
Luhit Recinos

37. Thank you for your support and dedication to student achievement!