Woodcreek High School

1. Woodcreek High School Spring AP Night

2. Goals of the Evening: • Inform parents and students of changes to AP program and courses; • Provide specific AP course information; • Answer parents’ and students’ questions.

3. AP and College Success™ Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less. Source: Camara, Wayne (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.

4. Who should take AP courses? Students who are… • Proficient in reading, writing, or other prerequisite skills; • Managing their time well in regular level courses; • Self-directed, motivated workers.

5. A Note About Prerequisites… • Grades in previous courses are strong predictors of success in AP courses • AP English, Social Science, and Environmental Science courses are heavy in writing. Students’ grades in previous English classes should indicate whether they are prepared for this requirement • Courses like AP Chemistry and AP Physics are math-dependent • A cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 is required to enroll in any AP course

6. AP Courses Offered at WHS • AP European History(10th grade) • AP US History (11th grade) • AP US Government (12th grade) • AP Language/Comp (11th grade) • AP Literature/Comp (12th grade) • AP Spanish Language • AP Calculus AB/BC • AP Statistics • AP Environmental Science • AP Chemistry • AP Biology • AP Physics C • AP Psychology • AP Human Geography • AP Studio Art

7. AP Exams What you need to know: • Exams take place the first two weeks in May • Each exam is 3-4 hours long • Exams include selected-response and free-response sections • Scores are available online in early July • Questions about AP scores? Call College Board

8. AP is working to align to the Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards Expect fewer multiple-choice questions and more reading and writing Teachers are getting trained and are adjusting curriculum AP Exams are in Revision

9. Corresponding Changes to Instruction • Teachers will spend less class time presenting information • Higher levels of thinking will be required • You may not be able to “find the answer in the book” • Argumentation and inquiry will increase in all subjects

10. How many AP courses should students take? • It depends on the student. Consider what your child can handle both academically and emotionally. • Also consider how competitive your child needs to be for the college he/she wants to attend. • Colleges want to see students who are active outside the classroom in addition to taking a rigorous course load.

11. Dropping AP Classes • New in 2013-14: Students WILL NOT be moved to regular-level courses if they decide to drop an AP course. • Dropping an AP course after the 2nd week of the term will result in a drop “F” on the transcript.

12. Blocked Courses • Lottery system –72 spots • All other students will be offered 18-week option

13. Credit & Placement for Qualifying AP Grades Ninety percent of four-year U.S. colleges and universities grant credit or advanced placement. College Board: AP Credit Policy Info

14. The AP Program at Woodcreek Support for Students: • See your teacher BEFORE you fall behind • Ask your teacher or counselor about tutoring • Attend after-school tutoring in the library

15. Resources for Parents • College Board for Parents