PEARLAND ISD ADVANCED ACADEMICS

PEARLAND ISD ADVANCED ACADEMICS

DISTRICT TRENDS

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

PEARLAND ISD AP SCHOLARS 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 313 311 289 242 241 182187 183 66 74 53 65 81 85 123131 137 87 24 27 32 50 45 67 AP Scholars AP Scholars with Honor AP Scholars with Distinction AP National Scholars AP Scholars: Students with scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams AP Scholars with Honor: Students with an AP average score of 3.5 and scores of 3 or higher on 4 exams AP Scholars with Distinction: Students with an AP average score of 3.5 and scores of 3 or higher on 5 exams AP National Scholars: Students with an AP average of 4 on all exams and scores of 4 or higher on 8 exams

Total Exams 6000 AP Participation and Performance 5000 4835 4916 5286 4000 3339 3922 3000 2000 1000 0 2948 2168 3135 1893 2912 2548 1470 809 761 994 2025 1882 1583 1262 1012 790 493 456 538 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Participation Performance (3+)

AP PERFORMANCE RATES 70 % of AP Test Takers with Scores 3+ 65 60 55 50 45 40 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 District State Global Unofficial Data 8/31/2018

SAT / ACT

SAT PERFORMANCE & PARTICIPATION SAT Average Score & Student Participation 1200 1107 1143 1000 1011 1019 1008 1006 1045 1054 1036 928 976 1056 800 735 782 720 765 825 600 604 400 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 SAT - Average Score Students Tested

SAT PERFORMANCE 580 Class of 2018 Mean SAT Scores 560 540 520 500 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing MATH Pearland ISD Texas Global

Average ACT Composite Scores ACT PERFORMANCE 25 24 23 22.5 22.8 22.8 23.1 24.1 22 21 20 21 21 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.8 21 20.8 20.7 20.6 19 18 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Pearland Texas Global

ACT PERFORMANCE 30 Class of 2018 Mean ACT Scores 25 20 15 10 5 0 English Mathematics Reading Science Pearland ISD Texas Global

CHANGES TO AP/PAP COURSES

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Pre-AP World Geography will be replaced with AP Human Geography for incoming Freshmen next school year (2019-2020). Previously available as a one-semester course for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders, AP Human Geography will be a two-semester ninthgrade course. Elements of physical geography will be incorporated throughout the course to satisfy the state s Geography requirement. AP study and performance skills will be incorporated throughout the course to foster success in future AP and Pre-AP Courses in all disciplines.

AP PSYCHOLOGY Starting this fall, AP Psychology will now be offered as a twosemester course rather than a one-semester course. Due to state restrictions, to enroll in AP Psychology, a student must enroll in both Pre-AP Psychology in the fall and AP Psychology in the spring. To ensure GPA equity and fairness, no current Juniors will be eligible to take AP Psychology next school year.

COMPUTER SCIENCES Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, Pre-AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A will now earn students one LOTE (Languages other than English) credit each. In addition, AP Computer Science A awards an additional math credit. All public and some private universities and colleges in Texas recognize these Computer Science courses as LOTE credits for admission but not towards their own graduation requirements. It is the student s and family s responsibility to check the admissions requirements of all potential receiving institutions. These courses still apply towards the STEM endorsement.

AP & PRE-AP COURSE OFFERINGS

AP CAPSTONE AP Seminar AP Seminar is a year-long course that has students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives. Students learn to synthesize information from different sources, develop their own lines of reasoning in research-based essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. AP Research AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research based investigation to address a research question. *GT Enrollment* Although any student may enroll and participate in the AP Capstone program, we strongly encourage all students designated as Gifted & Talented in Pearland ISD to take either the two-year Capstone course articulation or, at the very least, AP Seminar. Enrollment in these courses will better prepare students with a GT learning style for university study.

AP/PAP ENGLISH ARTICULATION PAP English 1 PAP English 2 AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition

AP/PAP FINE ARTS COURSE OFFERINGS Art Music History PAP Studio Art AP 2D Art & Design AP 3D Art & Design AP Drawing AP Music Theory AP Art History

AP/PAP LOTE ARTICULATIONS Spanish French Computer Science PAP Spanish 1 PAP Spanish 2 PAP Spanish 3 AP Spanish Language & Culture AP Spanish Literature & Culture PAP French 1 PAP French 2 PAP French 3 AP French Language & Culture PAP Computer Science AP Computer Science Principles AP Computer Science A Many four-year institutions award significant weight in the admissions process to students who demonstrate fluency in at least one foreign language. Fluency is most easily demonstrated by participation in the full course articulation and by AP performance.

AP/PAP MATH ARTICULATION 8 th Grade PAP Algebra 1 9 th Grade PAP Geometry PAP Algebra 2 10 th Grade PAP Algebra 2 PAP Precalculus AP Statistics 11 th Grade PAP Precalculus AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Statistics 12 th Grade AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC AP Statistics AP Calculus BC AP Statistics

AP/PAP MATH NOTES Adjustments can be made to accommodate 9 th graders in PAP Algebra 1. It is recommended that students earning an A in PAP Algebra 1 co-enroll in PAP Geometry and PAP Algebra 2 to improve performance on the SAT and PSAT. AP Statistics can be taken as an elective math credit after successful completion of PAP Algebra 2. AP Calculus AB is a two-semester course that is equivalent to Calculus 1 at a university, and AP Calculus BC is a two-semester course that is equivalent to Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 at a university. It is recommended that 11 th graders eligible to take AP Calculus take AB in 11 th grade and BC in 12 th grade to solidify their foundational knowledge base in preparation for future university study.

Note: 8th Grade IPC Is also a prerequisite for PAP Chemistry. AP/PAP SCIENCE ARTICULATION PAP Biology* Required PAP Chemistry* Required for STEM AP Biology AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1* Required for STEM AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 2 AP Physics C

AP/PAP SCIENCE NOTES The normal path for Pre-AP/AP Sciences is Pre-AP Biology, Pre-AP Chemistry, and then AP Physics 1. All other sciences are considered elective courses and can be taken subject to completion of prerequisite courses and availability in a student s schedule. A student may take both Pre-AP Biology and Pre-AP Chemistry concurrently as a Freshman, but they must have completed IPC in 8 th Grade to do so. IPC is not recommended in high school for advanced learners. AP Environmental Science can be taken at any point after Pre-AP Biology, but it is recommended students also complete PAP Chemistry prior to enrollment in the course due to common curricular concepts and common lab practices. A student may choose AP Physics 2 and/or AP Physics C once they have completed AP Physics 1. AP Physics 2 is algebra-based. AP Physics C is calculus-based.

AP/PAP SOCIAL STUDIES ARTICULATION Recommended Electives ~ f2 l!js Go~e ririiril'ile l'ilt : &AP ~. Macroeconomics

AP SOCIAL STUDIES NOTES A student may take either AP World History or AP European History as their Sophomore social studies course. AP European History may instead be taken as an elective course as a Junior or Senior in addition to the recommended grade-level course(s). A student can satisfy the Economics graduation requirement with either AP Macroeconomics or AP Microeconomics. AP Comparative Government does not satisfy the Government graduation requirement.

EF SUMMER EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES Connected to the Following AP Courses AP Human Geography AP World History AP European History AP US History AP Comparative Government AP US Government & Politics Destinations 2019 England & Scotland 2020 Japan 2021 Paris, Switzerland, & Germany 2022 - Peru For More Information The Explorers Meeting Tonight after the Fair Explorers Page on the School Website EF Website

SAT PREP Full-Year Course Two Instructors English Math Credit 1 Elective Credit 5.0 Grade Point or GPA Waiver Course Breakdown PSAT Preparation SAT Preparation College Admissions & Application Preparation Tests PSAT in the Fall Free administration to all PISD students SAT School Day in the Spring SAT cost covered by $50 course fee Curriculum Khan Academy College Board Practice Material Emphasis on both academic and SATspecific problem solving and test-taking strategies

ACADEMIC DECATHLON PHS & THS ONLY Objective Tests Math Science Economics Social Science Language & Literature Art Music Subjective Events Speech Interview Essay Students Honors Students A average Scholastic Students B average Varsity Students C average Competitions 3 Practice Competitions (Fall) Regional Competition State Competition National Competition Octathlon Competition (9 th & 10 th Graders only) Tradition 4-Time State Champions 5 National Competitions California Tennessee Minnesota Hawaii California

GOOD RULES OF THUMB

GOOD RULES OF THUMB Take the number of AP courses that you can reasonably handle. The Pearland ISD Advanced Academics department does not recommend more than five AP/PAP courses for the overwhelming majority of students. For some students, less than five is best. Mental, emotional, and physical health are more important than your GPA. Sign up for courses based on graduation requirements, level of interest, and future plans. Do not base your decisions on what classes your friends are taking. Do not base your decisions on the teacher as teaching assignments can change from year to year. One GPA Waiver is available each school year. This can be applied to any non-academic elective course. The grade in the class must be an A to not apply to a GPA. SAT Prep grants a second GPA Waiver the year it is taken.

GOOD RULES OF THUMB When taking multiple AP and PAP classes, you will need to manage your time wisely, maintain a strong work ethic, and uphold a high degree of academic integrity. Procrastination is the enemy, especially with athletic or performing arts extracurricular activities. An assignment that is meant to require fifteen minutes a night for a week could turn into a threehour nightmare on a Sunday night. Most AP courses build up skills and concepts cumulatively over time, and incomplete assignments or low test grades could significantly and continually hinder academic performance for the remainder of the course. Academic dishonesty in the forms of cheating and plagiarism could lead to the demotion of a 6.0 grade point to a 4.0 grade point and could be reported to the receiving university or college.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

AP CREDITS Texas House Bill 1992 requires all public Texas universities and colleges to award college hours for AP scores of 3 or higher. The institution can choose whether an AP exam score grants replacement or elective credit. Many universities have started charging out-of-state tuition to any student transferring in with more than 30 college hours. Transfer of AP scores is not automatic, and students may choose which AP scores to apply towards their degree plan. Most universities and colleges look at AP participation and performance as part of their holistic admissions process. It is the student s and family s responsibility to check the AP credit policies at the receiving institution.

Final Exam 0 0 AP VERSUS DUAL ENROLLMENT AP teachers are required to submit a course syllabus for approval by the College Board, where experts compare the syllabus to international standards. Although Alvin Community College does have some oversight when it comes to a professor s syllabus, there are no set national standards to which professors have to teach. ACC credits are earned towards an Associate s degree rather than with the intention of transferring elsewhere. AP exams are graded to common international standards so that the scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have universal meaning to all higher-level institutions. Credits earned through dual enrollment classes are less likely to replace courses and degree requirements at four-year institutions than those earned through AP exams. Some credits will transfer as elective credits, and some will not transfer at all.

AP AS COLLEGE PREP Most admissions offices utilize a holistic approach when choosing whether or not to accept students. They take into account what level of rigor was available at the student s high school. They take into account to what degree the student participated in the rigorous courses. AP is the premiere university preparation program available in Pearland ISD. Students study collegiate material at a collegiate level in a familiar high school setting. AP teachers have to follow district and campus regulations and policies for high school students, including those for grading, discipline, and parental contact. Even if students do not transfer AP credit to their university or college, studies show they will be more prepared for university studies having participated in the AP program compared to students who have not.

AP COURSES AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS When reviewing a high school transcript, admissions officers consider an AP course as complete if and only if the AP exam for the course has been taken, regardless of the score earned or if the university grants credit for the AP Exam. Taking AP courses in multiple disciplines as part of the traditional fourby-four model demonstrates a well-roundedness that most colleges and universities are looking for in their applicants. The Ivy League schools and other similar universities prefer AP courses be taken with a specific focus and goal in mind. They tend to view multi-disciplinary applicants as Jack[s] of all Trades; Master[s] of None.

AP SCORES AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Although a 3, 4, or 5 typically awards college credit, a 2 demonstrates college readiness according to the College Board and all higher-level institutions. Studies have shown that students who earn a 1 on their AP Exam(s) are statistically more likely to successfully complete their Freshman year of college than students who did not take AP Exams at all. Unless some sort of medical or family emergency causes a student to leave an exam early and late testing is not possible, there is no reason to voluntarily cancel a score. Students may retake an AP Exam the following year in order to replace a low score with a higher one.

WHAT AP COURSES ARE RECOMMENDED? In 2015, the College Board reported that 40% of Selective public and private colleges and universities gave extra weight to the following AP courses during the admissions process. 1. AP Calculus AB 2. AP Calculus BC 3. AP Chemistry 4. AP Biology 5. AP English Language 6. AP English Literature 7. AP Physics 1 8. AP European History 9. AP French 10. AP German AP Capstone completed its first year as a limited pilot program in the 2012-2013 school year, Pearland ISD was invited to participate in a limited roll-out in the 2014-2015 school year, and Seminar and Research became more widely available nationally in the 2016-2017 school year. Despite Capstone s brief tenure, Seminar and Research would now probably rank high on a more current list of weighted AP courses.

QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Please contact your campus AP Coordinator if you have questions regarding AP Exam registration, payment, and administration. Autumn Maddox DHS Lynn Walker PHS Jade Stenger TCCHS Please contact your designated high school counselor concerning scheduling, course selection, endorsements, the college admission process, and four-year plans. Please contact Advanced Academics if you have questions or concerns related to the district-wide AP and Pre-AP program.

QUESTIONS TONIGHT Questions can be answered at the following tables: Advanced Academics Capstone SAT Prep Departmental

PEARLAND ADVANCED ACADEMICS TEAM Margo Gigee Heather Block Christina Pair Corey Cogswell Damon Rayburn Jenifer Hill Robyn Olsen Lupe Silva Director Coordinator Robotics Specialist 9-12 English, Social Studies, Fine Arts, & Capstone Specialist 9-12 Math, Science, LOTE Specialist 7-8 and SAT Specialist 5-6 Specialist K-4 Secretary

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