Virginia Advanced Study Strategies

1. Virginia Advanced  Study Strategies VASS Program Elements Cohort 4 Training January 2011

3. AP Courses Supported AP Calculus (AB and BC) AP Statistics AP Computer Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics (B and C) AP Environmental Science AP English Language AP English Literature

4. School Letter of Agreement Extended by VASS to school selected for participation Outlines expectations � what the school can expect from VASS and what VASS expects from the school Lists responsibilities of teachers, lead teachers, and administrators Provides projected goals for the grant period (3 years) Includes projected budget based on several variables

5. Projected Budget Based on projected enrollments, number of teachers to be trained, number of exams to be taken, and realistic expectations of success No check written to school for any line items � budget is an estimated value that VASS will bring in the implementation of program elements

6. Program Elements Training and support for teachers, administrators, and counselors Classroom equipment and materials Additional time on task for students Financial support with exam fees Stipends and incentives for teachers, administrators, and students

7. AP Teacher Responsibilities Participate in at least 7 days of training each year or the equivalent as approved by VASS Teach the course using practices learned in training Actively recruit students into the course to increase enrollment Provide tutoring outside of class time (at least 4 hours per month)

8. AP Teacher Responsibilities Attend and assist with 3 prep sessions Ensure good student attendance at prep sessions Attend and assist with 4 vertical team meetings Successfully complete the College Board course audit each year Submit syllabus for new course in early summer Make revisions as required by the College Board Make sure course gets renewed each year

9. AP Teacher Stipends and Incentives $500 stipend for performing duties of contract Roster Incentive $100 for each student on his/her roster who receives a qualifying score on the exam Threshold Bonus $1000, $2000, or $3000 for reaching course goal set by VASS; goal (but not money) is shared by all teachers teaching that course Rewards teacher for increasing enrollment and the number of qualifying scores, NOT PASS RATE, each year

10. Lead Teacher Responsibilities Handle necessary prep session details � this includes: Projecting student attendance for planning purposes Working with administration on securing building or transportation as needed Ordering pizzas and arranging payment with VASS Purchasing drinks, paper products, supplies, etc. Distributing gift cards (door prizes) and completing VASS paperwork Maintaining and reporting attendance info to VASS Obtaining hotel reservations for consultants Other tasks as necessary

11. Lead Teacher Responsibilities Assist administrators and counselors in providing student and parent outreach activities Schedule and lead vertical team meetings with high school and middle school AP and Pre-AP teachers Represent VASS and/or the school or school division when called upon to address the community or media about the program Provide data and reports to VASS in a timely manner

12. Selection of Lead Teachers AP math, science, or English teacher with good results and rapport with colleagues Selected by VASS with assistance from school administrators Typically, but not always, one in each content area Usually NOT someone with administrative duties (i.e. department chair = evaluator of teachers) Two tiers of lead teachers: Project Lead School Lead

13. Project Lead vs. School Lead

14. Project Lead vs. School Lead

15. Lead Teacher Stipends/Incentives As AP math, science, or English teacher, he/she gets the AP teacher stipend and incentives Additional stipend for performing Lead Teacher duties dependent upon number of schools served School Lead stipend = $500 Project Lead stipend = $1000 or more

16. VASS Designated Administrator(s) One or more school personnel who actively participates in administering/supporting the AP program May be one or more of the following: AP Coordinator Principal Assistant Principal School Counselor Director of Counseling May NOT be an AP teacher

17. Responsibilities of the VDA Create and support an environment to increase the number of students receiving qualifying scores of 3 or higher on AP math, science, and English (MSE) exams � this means you will: Develop new policies and remove barriers to increase the number of students enrolled in AP MSE courses Summer assignments Weight of grades Exam exemption Gate-keeping Pre-AP title on courses preparing student for AP

18. Responsibilities of the VDA Work to ensure that extra-curricular school activities do not conflict with or hinder VASS program activities or AP exam success � this means you will: Provide necessary information to help VASS schedule prep session dates and protect the dates after they are scheduled Put prep session and exam dates on school website and other mediums of communication to students and parents Schedule prom and senior trip after AP exams (or, at the very least, weeks before the first AP exam)

19. Responsibilities of the VDA Manage the ordering of all PSAT and AP MSE exams and provide requested documentation of orders to VASS in a timely manner Assist all those involved in providing the best possible testing environment during PSAT and AP exam administration Provide opportunities for parents to learn about the benefits of and how to support their children in Pre-AP and AP courses Monitor all AP teachers to ensure that VASS program activities and strategies are being implemented

20. Responsibilities of the VDA Ensure that courses are approved by College Board; remember to go through renewal process each year Work closely with all Lead Teachers in the support and implementation of their responsibilities and in empowering them to act as mentors. Represent VASS and the high school when called upon to address the program with the community and/or media. Manage the submission of all data requests made by VASS in a timely manner and according to program deadlines.

21. VDA Incentives No stipend for the VASS Designated Administrator $3000 bonus if school reaches overall MSE goal set by VASS $3000 is shared if more than one VDA in school

22. Stipends and Incentives Contracts for AP teachers, Lead teachers, and VASS Designated Administrator(s) � offered in the fall Monies paid to the individual by VASS � not through the school system payroll � paid in the fall of the following school year Taxable income to be reported to IRS by the payee � VASS does not withhold for taxes VASS must have w-9 form from each payee with contract VASS sends out 1099 (in January) to each individual who receives $600 or more in the previous tax year

23. School Goals Year 1 school goals are based on the fact that there will be a significant increase from the base year (no VASS program) to year 1 of the VASS program; this truth comes from years of experience in the Texas model Years 2 and 3 goals will be at least a 10% increase from the prior year Goals in the Letter of Agreement are projections; new goals are set each fall

24. Teacher Threshold Goals Goals are part of each AP teacher�s contract with VASS Three tiered goals for the numbers of qualifying scores in the course; meant to encourage increased enrollment in the course Example: In 2009, there were 7 qualifying scores on the AP Biology exam in a school. The threshold goals for the AP Biology teachers in that school for 2010 are 10, 12, and 14 � meaning, if there are 10 qualifying scores in 2010, the AP Biology teachers get a $1000 bonus; if 12 - $2000; if 14 - $3000.

25. VASS Training AP Teacher Training Pre-AP Teacher Training Lead Teacher Training Designated Administrator Training

26. AP Teacher Training All AP math, science, and English teachers 5 days each summer 2 days each fall Up to 2 more days during the year Schools must incur the cost of substitutes � no more than 3 days during the school year VASS pays all costs; no additional stipends

27. Pre-AP Training VASS will train: 2 English, 2 Math, 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry, 2 Physics, and 1 or 2 Earth Science VASS encourages both trainings for science teachers who are AP and the only Pre-AP in the school 4 days each summer Teachers selected should prepare to stay in training for 3 years Program used is Laying the Foundation VASS pays all costs; no stipends available

28. Lead Teacher Training 2 days at end of school year For project and school leads Planning session for next year VASS covers all costs; no additional stipends

29. VDA Training 2 days in January/February Review program elements Bring cohorts together for idea sharing VASS covers all costs; no stipends available

30. Training Logistics Central locations when possible Dates provided as early as possible to avoid conflicts All training done in house with few exceptions Teachers need to be immersed in the VASS program elements Opportunity to collaborate/share Cost effective for VASS = more teachers trained

31. Equipment and Materials Formula to determine equipment budget each year: $5000 + $25 per student enrolled in AP MSE School required to match VASS equipment allocation dollar for dollar If school is unable to match the allocated amount, VASS will provide only the amount that the school can match.

32. Equipment and Materials VASS staff works with teachers to determine what equipment and materials are needed Equipment allocation is NOT divided equally between math, science, and English VASS orders all equipment, including that being paid for by the school match; invoice school after all materials are received and accounted for VASS receives 30% or more discount and is sales tax exempt All items purchased are immediately property of the school, not VASS

33. Additional Time on Task Scheduled tutoring outside of class time Prep sessions

34. Tutoring At least 4 hours per month per course Specific topics based on need of students Use as additional class time

35. Prep Sessions At least 18 hours per course Generally 3 Saturdays (6 hours each) Scheduled by VASS staff using info provided by schools; dates provided in early summer Schools must protect dates!!! Data shows students who attend do better on exam Prep session costs account for � of VASS program budget

36. Prep Sessions Schools combined geographically and according to courses offered Host school = one that can accommodate the number of students attending and has the materials necessary (i.e. lab equipment) � also usually the most centrally-located but may change from one prep session to next Day is split into sessions with topics determined by Lead Teachers and VASS content directors

37. Prep Sessions Presenters are highly successful AP teachers and graders for the AP exam Information presented is not new; sessions are meant to review material already learned, help students understand what will be emphasized on the exam, and teach students strategies for success VASS pays for snacks, lunch, supplies, door prizes, presenter fees and travel expenses Transportation generally provided by schools Administrators should attend to show support and help with crowd management

38. Exam Ordering and Fees VASS pays for � the cost of the exam Schools MUST get all discounts available for students in poverty College Board discount = $22 per exam VA discount = $56 per exam VA discount managed by VADOE � schools usually have to apply in the fall to participate If you are told by DOE that you cannot get VA discount due to being in the VASS program, CALL US FOR HELP!!!

39. Exam Ordering and Fees

40. Exam Ordering and Fees VASS requests detailed teacher rosters in advance � student name, gender, grade level, ethnicity, meal status; info used in data tracking but also to predict exam fee costs VASS reimburses schools for � the cost after schools have paid College Board invoices See specific instructions for exam ordering provided by VASS

41. College Board Reports Reports available from CB for free in 2010: AP score reports for all students (available online) A cumulative roster of all students and rosters for all students by subject (available online) AP Instructional Planning Reports (available online) Principals must contact the College Board to get an access code for VASS to be able to view and download scores (more instructions from VASS to come soon)

42. AP Instructional Planning Reports The AP Instructional Planning Report (available online beginning in 2010) compares students' performance on specific topics in each AP Exam to the performance of students worldwide on those same topics, helping teachers target areas for increased attention and focus in the curriculum. VASS will request online access to or electronic copies of these reports to use in planning training and working with individual teachers Student answer sheets MUST be coded for each teacher in order for these reports to be specific to each teacher

43. Pre-Administration Assemble ALL students at least 2 weeks prior to exam date; students who are absent should be identified and brought together on another date before the exam Use instructions provided in Pre-Administration materials and those provided by VASS Have seniors complete self-addressed envelopes for mailing incentive checks in the fall Have all students complete a w-9 form for VASS tax purposes

44. College Board Contacts Download or purchase helpful materials at: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/downloads Contact for questions about AP Program AP ServicesP.O. Box 6671Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6671 Phone: (609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) Email: apexams@info.collegeboard.org AP Course Audit Phone: (877) APHELP-0 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or (541) 346-6654 Email: apcourseaudit@epiconline.org