AP & HONORS PARENT AND STUDENT NIGHT Presented by the Irvine High School Counseling Department

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1 AP & HONORS PARENT AND STUDENT NIGHT 2017 Presented by the Irvine High School Counseling Department

2 BEFORE WE BEGIN We want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who helped organize this event! PTSA Counselors Administrators Honors and AP Teachers Student Panel Theater Staff Custodial Support

3 THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT S PRESENTATION: Discuss the benefits of pursuing Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Classes Review the AP and Honors classes offered at Irvine High School Understand the expectations for AP and Honors classes Make informed decisions about course selection Being mindful of balance and student wellness Student Panel Following the presentation, teachers will be available in the Student Activity Center to address general questions and provide specific subject information

4 A BIT OF BACKGROUND INFO Every fall and spring, schedule adjustment requests are considered to accommodate students requests for various reasons, some of the most common being Student stress and balance in and outside of school Difficulty of coursework As students are preparing to fill out and complete their course request contracts this week, it is important to keep in mind the impact, rigor, and expectations of AP and Honors courses We want to help students and families make informed decisions when it comes to course selection in spring!

5 WHAT IS HONORS? Honors courses are taught at a faster pace and cover more material in greater depth than regular level classes. Select Honors courses carry an extra grade point Honors level courses best prepare students for Advanced Placement Courses as well as the rigor of college courses

6 HONORS COURSE INFORMATION Non-Weighted Honors Courses Honors American Literature Honors British Literature Honors Modern World History Honors Comparative Religions Honors Algebra 2/Trig Enhanced Math II Weighted Honors Courses Enhanced Math III Honors Pre-Calculus Honors Spanish 4 Honors French 4 Honors Korean 5

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8 WHAT IS THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM? AP provides students with the opportunity to pursue college work while in high school. AP gives students the opportunity to learn valuable skills and study habits AP is designed by college professors and secondary school teachers. College professors also help score exams to verify mastery of college material in AP courses

9 BENEFITS OF AP Subjects are studied in greater depth Students will discover areas of strength and weakness Students will be preparing for the rigor of college work Students will build good study habits Students will improve writing skills Students will gain the realization that they can excel as they face their challenges

10 ACCORDING TO THE COLLEGE BOARD In general students who earn a 3 or higher on the AP exam 1. Perform well in subsequent college courses in the discipline. 2. Perform well overall in their first year of college. 3. Are more likely to graduate in four years. 4. Are more likely to major in their AP subject or a related discipline.

11 DON T FORGET THESE BENEFITS Gives you an edge on your college application Saves you money on college tuition Helps you develop your potential in the classroom Helps shape clearer goals for your future

12 WHAT IS DIFFERENT? Honors and AP classes are more demanding AP classes are similar to first year college courses Students are expected to read and write in greater depth and breadth Students must learn to evaluate and critically analyze material

13 THIS MEANS Discussions are intense, probing and demanding Students are required to think for themselves, not give answers to please the teacher Homework involves thinking for yourself, expressing your ideas and analyzing what you read The classes teach you to analyze, reason and understand

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15 HOW DOES IHS COMPARE TO THE REST OF CA AND AROUND THE GLOBE? % of Total AP Students with Scores 3+

16 2015/2016 DATA IHS JUNIORS ENROLLED IN AP OR HONORS (WEIGHTED) CLASSES 1 Honor or AP class (49)-10% 2 Honors or AP classes (47)-10% 3 Honors or AP classes (42)-9% 4 Honors or AP classes (60)-12% 5 Honors or AP classes (22)-5% 6 Honors or AP classes (3)-1% Total number of students in grade 11 taking 1 or more AP/Honors (weighted) class (223/484)- 46% Total

17 2016/2017 DATA IHS JUNIORS ENROLLED IN AP OR HONORS (WEIGHTED) CLASSES 1 Honor or AP class (61)-12% 2 Honors or AP classes (45)-9% 3 Honors or AP classes (44)-8% 4 Honors or AP classes (49)-9% 5 Honors or AP classes (33)-6% 6 Honors or AP classes (12)-2% 7 Honors or AP classes (1)-0.2% Total number of students in grade 11 taking 1 or more AP/Honors (weighted) class (245/529)- 46% Total

18 WHO SHOULD TAKE AP CLASSES? Students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum Students should take into consideration their interests motivation strengths and weaknesses the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day! mental health and wellness

19 RIGOR VS. FINAL GPA Colleges and universities are more interested in students who take a course load that has academic rigor than one that has a 4.0 GPA without any rigorous coursework. However, keep in mind for more selective universities, such as UC s, this is only ONE factor, not the ONLY factor.

20 WHAT IF MY STUDENT ISN T READY FOR AP? The emphasis should be on the highest level of instruction at which the student is capable of performing rather than the grade the student might receive.

21 WHAT CAN YOUR STUDENTS DO? Research information about the AP/Honors courses offered at IHS by talking to the AP teachers tonight! Students should be mindful in reviewing their own schedule to make sure they are not overloaded. Remember 24 hours in a day! Students should look at past performance in courses, teacher recommendations, and prior commitments and involvement in and outside of school. : L

22 WHAT CAN YOUR STUDENTS DO? Review AP coursework information on the College Board website. Complete required summer coursework, if applicable.

23 AP/HONORS COURSES OFFERED AT IRVINE HIGH SCHOOL E N G L I S H Honors American Literature Honors British Literature AP English Language AP English Literature S C I E N C E AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics AP Environmental Science S O C I A L S C I E N C E Honors Modern World History AP European History AP U.S. History AP American Government & Economics AP Macroeconomics M A T H Enhanced Math III (Honors) Honors Pre-Calculus AP Statistics AP Calculus AB/BC AP Computer Science

24 AP/HONORS COURSES OFFERED AT IRVINE HIGH SCHOOL W O R L D L A N G U A G E S Honors Spanish 4 Honors French 4 Honors Korean 5 AP Spanish Language AP French Language F I N E A R T S AP Art History AP Studio Art 2D Design AP Art Studio3-D Design P E R F O R M I N G A R T S AP Music Theory

25 THE AP EXAM Administered on a nationally established schedule Usually in early May Typically three hour exams that include a multiple choice section and either essays or problems Measures reasoning skills and the ability to analyze facts and data, synthesize information, think critically about complex issues and negotiate competing perspectives

26 GRADING SCALE FOR AP EXAMS Each exam is graded using a 5 point scale 5 Extremely qualified 4 Well qualified 3 Qualified 2 Possibly qualified 1 Not qualified An AP grade of 3 or higher can qualify you for college credit or placement at most U.S. colleges and universities

27 WHAT S THE DIFFERENCE? CREDIT OR PLACEMENT Credit Earn points/credits toward college degree requirements Placement Skip introductory courses Enter a higher level course Fulfill general education requirements Can be offered both placement and credit by many colleges Allows you to move into upper level courses sooner, pursue a double major, gain time to study and time to travel abroad

28 WHAT COUNTS? Check directly with the college Check the College Board website Type in the name of the institution or browse by letter of alphabet

29 WILL LOW AP EXAM SCORES HURT MY COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE CHANCES? Generally, low AP exam scores will NOT negatively affect college admission decisions, as long as you earn a good grade in the class itself. Low test scores will NOT effect students who take the exam in the senior year, because, scores aren't sent out until July, long after most colleges send out final decisions. If students take an exam before the senior year, college officials will likely appreciate the student's hard work and effort--so that is not likely to hurt, either. Source:

30 WILL LOW AP EXAM SCORES HURT MY COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE CHANCES? (CONT.) Students do have the option of canceling scores. They have to notify the College Board with a signed cancellation letter by June 15. Students and IHS will still receive a report in the mail, but it will indicate that scores were deleted. Source:

31 HOW MUCH DO AP EXAMS COST? $101 per AP Test Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch qualify for a fee reduction Order forms are typically available in March and payment can be made by cash or check at the IHS Attendance Window or online at (link to webstore).

32 WHAT S NEXT AS PARENTS Be supportive Have open communication with your student Be aware of warning signs related to stress and fatigue Shift the focus from the grade to learning

33 BALANCE Time Management Activity you can fill this out with your student to see the reality of how much time in school and outside of school commitments take Positive Steps to Wellbeing Handout Successful AP and Honors students are organized, academically prepared, motivated, are realistic about what they can manage, and have strategies to help them during times of stress. A little bit of stress is normal, but when a student begins not sleeping, showing a lack of interest in school and outside of school, and showing signs of burn out it is time to re-evaluate what is in the student s best interest

34 FORMER/CURRENT AP & HONORS STUDENT PANEL

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36 THANK YOU! Please feel free to head to the tables in the Student Activity Center, where teachers of Advanced Placement and Honors classes can answer questions you may have about the specific courses, course content, expectations, work load, etc. Departments represented: Math Science Language Arts World Languages Social Science Flyers will be available for Art and Music Classes