1. Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit Course Offerings at AHS
Advanced Academics
In this session, we are going to provide information about the advanced course offerings at AHS. We have information about some of the summer reading assignments, how to enroll in AP and Dual Credit courses, and information about a new summer academy beginning this summer.
Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit Course Offerings at AHS

2. Program Options Pre-AP AP (Advanced Placement) Dual Credit
AHS offers 3 types of advanced courses – Pre-AP at the 9th and 10th grade levels, AP courses beginning at the 9th grade level, and Dual Credit courses for Juniors and Seniors.

3. Purpose/Advantages of Advanced Academics
Students are more likely to graduate from college in four years and to be better prepared for college;
85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience impacts admissions decisions;
31% of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP experience when making scholarship decisions;
AP scores or completion of Dual Credit = college credit and college savings;
Higher potential GPA (5.0 scale)
Go through this really quick. Do not have to read all of this slide… it’s just to give some background. The talking point is that students who are in advanced courses in high school don’t waste their parent’s money in college! This is a good place to talk about the importance of maintaining strong academic expectations all the way through high school (taking an advanced elective is a better option for college-bound kids than early release, etc.) – we have a lot of kids ‘quit’ on us their junior and senior years. It would be better for them to follow through with advanced coursework.

4. Who should be in AP/Advanced Courses?
Students who are ready for the rigor of college-level work;
Students who possess the ability to think critically and write effectively;
Students who possess self-disciplined study habits and academic self-motivation;
Students who are challenge-seeking, hard-working, and capable of handling a faster pace of instruction;
Students who are willing and able to invest extra time to study and students with strong study habits;
Students who are planning to pursue a highly competitive field
Talking point: We really encourage students to take advanced courses. And to take them all the way through high school. Don’t have to read all of this.
We suggest that all college-bound students attempt at least one advanced course while at AHS.

5. What should I expect in advanced courses?
Faster-paced instruction
Increased reading load
Writing
Increase in homework/study requirements
Emphasis on student responsibility and ownership
Projects/opportunities for enrichment
Students with strong reading/writing skills are typically more successful in advanced courses.
It’s important that students and parents do understand what they are getting into when they sign up for an advanced course. Students should be prepared to work hard and at a faster pace in these courses. They should also understand that they are expected to take the AP exam if they are enrolled in AP courses.

6. Summer Projects/Summer Reading
Required for most Pre-AP/AP courses in English and Social Studies
Will be announced before the end of this school year
Will be available on the AHS website throughout the summer
Direct attention to the summer assignment information provided by the ALTs. Parents/students should pick up information related to the course(s) they are taking before leaving the session (have table at door).

7. What if my student struggles?
Expect an ‘adjustment’ period
Encourage frequent tutorials
Contact teachers to request feedback and assistance
Students may request a Level Drop after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and at the end of the first semester
Is an advanced course still a good option for my student if he/she struggles?
This would be a good place to discuss the value of taking advanced courses, even if the student has a harder time. It is important for students to understand the level of rigor in a college-level course, demonstrate their willingness to take on challenges, looks better on college applications, etc…

8. Looking Ahead: AP and Dual Credit
 Advanced Placement (AP)
 Dual Credit
 Description
The AP Program allows students to take college-level courses and ex­ams while in high school. A strong score on the culminating exam may result in college credit or placement.
Dual Credit allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit by completing courses at the high school and/or college campus.
 Credit
College credit may be awarded depending on the student’s score on the AP examination. Individ­ual colleges and universities, not the College Board or the AP Program, determine course credit and placement.
High school and college credit through Lone Star College (LSC) is awarded when the student passes the course.
College/ University Acceptance
Accepted at thousands of universities around the world. Typically requires a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam. Students should check with their chosen universities to see if AP credit may be awarded.
Accepted at public (and some private) colleges and universities in Texas as well as many outside of Texas. Requires semester average of C or better for transferability.
 Eligibility
Open to any high school student.
Student must be classified as a junior or senior and must meet college readiness standard scores on the TSI or earn exemptions with SAT, ACT, or EOC scores.
A lot of parents don’t understand this… This may be a good place to take some questions and allow Dr. Ned to answer some questions. Talking point: We like both AP and DC courses and encourage both equally. Students do not have to be a “Dual kid” or an “AP kid” – they can mix/match and take both Dual and AP courses throughout high school. What is important is that they do their research to ensure they will be able to earn credit for what they take (direct their attention to the guiding questions on the back of the Advanced Academics handout).

9. Possible Advanced Course Paths
When choosing the most appropriate advanced course, always consult the district course guide, the requirements of your graduation endorsement, and/or your counselor
Introduce that you are going to review some possible course options/pathways in the 4 core areas. Disclaimer: different endorsements require different courses, so students should always talk to their counselor if they have any questions/doubts.

10. Possible Advanced Course Path: English
Pre-AP English I Pre-AP English II AP English III AP English IV Dual Credit English
Students who want to take Dual Credit English will need to see Ruth Diaz at the beginning of the 2nd semester of their junior year to make sure they qualify – some will need to test in order to qualify for the DC course.

11. Suggested Advanced Course Path: Social Studies
AP Human Geography AP World History AP US History OR Dual Credit US History AP Economics/AP Government OR Dual Credit Economics/Dual Credit Government (Summer Academy [Govt] or online only)
Talking point: Social Studies is the only subject in which AP courses begin at the freshman and sophomore levels. There is no Pre-AP course for Social Studies. 9th graders who sign up for AP Human Geography must be ready to take on a college-level course – the course is not less rigorous because it is taught during the freshman year…
ELECTIVES/ADDITIONAL SOCIAL STUDIES CREDIT:
AP Psychology
Dual Credit Psychology (Summer Academy or online only)
AP European History

12. Possible Advanced Course Path: Science
Pre-AP Biology
Pre-AP Chemistry
Pre-AP Physics
(Physics is required for some graduation endorsements, other students can choose a different 3rd year science, such as those listed below)
Students who want to take Dual Credit English will need to see Ruth Diaz at the beginning of the 2nd semester of their junior year to make sure they qualify – some will need to test in order to qualify for the DC course.
UPPER LEVEL ADVANCED SCIENCE OPTIONS:
AP Environmental Science
AP Chemistry AP Physics C
AP Biology or Dual Credit Biology
Dual Credit Anatomy & Physiology

13. Possible Advanced Course Path: Math
Pre-AP Algebra I Pre-AP Geometry Pre-AP Algebra II Pre-AP Pre-Calculus AB OR Dual Credit Pre-Calculus AB Pre-AP Pre-Calculus BC OR Dual Credit Pre-Calculus BC AP Statistics AP Calculus AB OR Dual Credit Calculus AB AP Calculus BC OR Dual Credit Calculus BC Dual Credit College Algebra
Students who want to take Dual Credit English will need to see Ruth Diaz at the beginning of the 2nd semester of their junior year to make sure they qualify – some will need to test in order to qualify for the DC course.

14. Enrolling in AP/Dual Credit at AHS
To enroll in Pre-AP/AP courses, select the course in Bridges when submitting course requests
To enroll in Dual Credit courses, select the course in Bridges AND see Zinnia DeLeon in the registrar’s office to ensure you qualify
The TSI (qualifying test) will be offered Saturday, March 24 at AHS.
Students who put a Dual Credit course on their course request have been notified if they need to test in order to qualify.
For more information, see the handout “How To Begin” or information on the AHS website under the Dual Credit Information page
Talking points: Any student can request Dual Credit, but students must meet qualifications for the courses, apply to Lone Star, and complete any required testing before they can be placed into the requested course. Offer handout for signing up for Dual Credit.

15. Dual Credit Summer Academy
Ask participants to save questions they have until the last few minutes of the session. Introduce Dr. Ned, Director of Advanced Academics for the district. He will present information about a new district program, the Dual Credit Summer Academy. Dual Credit courses will be available in a summer session, held at AHS in June and July.
After he is finished, take questions about pathways, encourage parents to pick up summer assignment information, make sure everyone has handouts they need, etc.