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Learn about the Pre-AP Initiative by The College Board, equipping teachers with tools to enhance student learning and prepare them for college success. Discover the benefits, components, and success factors of the program.
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Pre-Advanced PlacementTricia Renner, Director of State and Legislative Outreach, Midwest RegionDeana Rainey, TeacherMonroe Middle SchoolOmaha, Nebraska
The College Board The College Board’s mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. We are a not-for-profit membership organization committed to excellence and equity in education.
Some Key Benefits of AP • AP courses establish a college-level standard in secondary schools that is measured through a national assessment designed and scored by college faculty. • Students who take AP Exams and score a 3 or higher typically experience greater academic success and college graduation rates than non-AP students. • AP courses expose college-bound students to the amounts of homework, study skills, and habits of mind essential for success in college courses. • AP provides leverage for aligning and strengthening the grades 6-12 curriculum.
What is Pre-AP? Pre-AP is a suite of K-12 professional development resources and services. The purpose of the Pre-AP Initiative is to equip all middle and high school teachers with the strategies and tools they need to engage their students in active, high-level learning, thereby ensuring that every middle and high school student develops the skills, habits of mind, and concepts they need to succeed in college.
Two Important Premises… • The expectation that all students can perform at rigorous academic levels. • This expectation should be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that all students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level. • We can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. • Addressed effectively, the middle and high school years can provide a powerful opportunity to help all students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning.
Components of Pre-AP: Vertical Teams • The concept of Vertical Teams incorporates the idea that the offerings of the Advanced Placement Program should not be isolated courses, but rather a planned program for teaching skills and concepts over several years. • An AP Vertical Team is a group of teachers from different grade levels in a given discipline who work cooperatively to develop and implement a vertically aligned program aimed at helping students acquire the academic skills necessary for success in the Advanced Placement Program.
Primary Goals of Vertical Teams • Improve academic performance for all students in earlier grades by introducing skills and concepts needed for success in AP and other challenging courses. • Improve performance and participation in the Advanced Placement Program.
Major Activities of Vertical Teams • Identify and develop Pre-AP strategies • Vertically align curriculum toward the discipline based AP standards • Assess student progress toward the discipline-based AP standards • Integrate CBSCS into existing standards • Identify strategies to create a culture of high expectations and rigor
Success Factors for AP Vertical Teams • Local leadership • Knowledge of AP standards and CBSCS • Knowledge of curriculum at all grade levels • Awareness of skills required for success in AP courses
Administrator Support is Critical • Developing school policies the encourage student participation in academic learning that increases the probability more students will participate in the AP Program. • Creating time for AP Vertical Teams to meet before, during or after school. • Coordinating meetings involving educators from several different buildings/campuses. • Supporting on-going professional development for AP Vertical Team members and providing substitute teachers for planning days.
Pre-AP Professional Development • Creating and Sustaining Vertical Teams • Classroom and Instructional Strategies • On-line Resources • Instructional Leadership Strategies
For more information http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/prepare/pre-ap or Tricia Renner prenner@collegeboard.org