Dickinson High School Parent Manual for Advanced Courses (Pre-AP, AP, and Honors)

Dickinson High School Parent Manual for Advanced Courses (Pre-AP, AP, and Honors)

Spring 2016 PreAP/Advanced Placement Parent/Student Meeting ABOUT the ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE: College Level Curriculum (Not a high level high school course) Assignments and Performance Expectations at the college level Teachers submit a Course Syllabus to be approved by College Board Teachers must be trained in Gifted/Talented Differentiation Strategies Teachers must complete a College Board approved course specific to their content. DHS Pre/AP and AP teachers attend the Rice University Advanced Placement Summer Institutes. PreAP courses are important for student success in the AP courses May require from 3-9 hours of preparation outside of class each week Attending tutorials/symposiums are critical to success BENEFIT to YOUR STUDENT: PreAP coursework is preparation for college level work Development of time management/organization skills critical to college success May earn college credit with scores of 3+ Save on college tuition costs Tuition: Ranges from $200.00 to over $900.00 per college hour (12 hours = $2400 to $10,800) Books: 12 Hours = 4 classes @ approximately $600 - $800 a semester Fees: Varies by University and/or College and program (lab fees, computer labs, etc) Rigorous instruction (application of reading and writing skills, inference, synthesis) FOR Your CONSIDERATION: How many AP courses to take Extra-curricular activities Job responsibilities School Expectations: Understand the class expectations; be prepared for class; attend tutorials; complete summer work, form study groups, etc. Complete the course Exit now or at Semester (classes scheduled based on current registration) Understand that the course is a premium points course, but a failing grade is still a failing grade and will be recorded as such on a transcript. Taking a Pre-AP or AP course for no reason other than to inflate a GPA is a poor decision and will not prepare the student for college level work. Take the AP EXAM No exceptions Registration for AP EXAMS is scheduled for March, 2017. A Payment Plan is available. It is the student/parent s responsibility to notify the campus bookkeeper to set up an account/deposit schedule. Number of Exams Cost per Exam Total Cost Weekly Deposit Hours Earned 1 $91.00 $91.00 $3.79 3 2 $91.00 $182.00 $7.58 6 3 $91.00 $273.00 $11.38 9 4 $91.00 $364.00 $15.17 12 5 $91.00 $455.00 $18.96 15 2

Dickinson High School Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement Program Equity and Access to PreAP, AP and Honors Courses Dickinson ISD has a genuine commitment to preparing ALL students for challenging high school coursework and post high school success in college, in the workplace, and/or in the military. Opportunities for enrollment in Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are open and made available to ALL Dickinson High School students. Because Pre- AP and AP courses are designed as college preparation and/or college level courses, students must have demonstrated their academic preparedness and their willingness to invest the time and effort required for success in rigorous courses. College Board research clearly shows that students who participate in challenging coursework, including Pre-AP and AP courses, have considerably higher success in college. Benefits of Pre-AP Courses A Different Kind of Class: Through increased rigor, Pre-AP courses help students acquire the skills and academic habits needed for success in high school and beyond. Students will improve critical reading, writing, and problem-solving skills as a result of successful completion of these courses. In addition, students' time management, note-taking, and study skills will be greatly enhanced. A Pre-AP classroom is different from an academic class. Instruction in the Pre-AP classroom focuses on intense discussions, rigorous real-world applications, analytical thinking, critical reading, and persuasive/expository writing. Students are held to a high standard of academic engagement. Pre-AP courses provide preparation for success in the subsequent AP course and toward earning a qualifying score on the corresponding College Board AP Exam. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses A Different Kind of Class: AP courses are highly rigorous courses for which college credit may be earned. The course syllabus is approved by College Board. Teachers are highly trained through College Board workshops and institutes. AP courses conclude with a final examination written and scored by College Board. AP courses require a high level of student commitment and academic engagement. Considerations for Entry into Pre-AP and AP Courses Student's willingness and ability to: Prioritize time and interests Commit a minimum of three hours of out-of-class time per week for each course Approach challenging coursework with a positive attitude Complete summer and outside reading and writing assignments Maintain a strong work ethic Maximize independent study habits Critically question and discuss complex concepts Monitor and evaluate progress Meet expectations on state assessments Adhere to the district's class exit procedures and timelines (see Exit Form) 3

Pre-AP/ AP/ Honors Admission Criteria In an effort to place students in appropriate level classes, admission criteria have been established for Pre-AP, AP, and Honors courses. The academic records for all students who register for a PreAP, AP and/or Honors course will be evaluated against the following criteria when students complete their course selections for following school year: Previous Academic Performance. Yearly average of 80 (B) in an Academic course and 75 (C) in a Pre-AP or an AP course immediately preceding the Pre-AP/AP course. STAAR and End of Course (EOC) Assessment. It is highly recommended that students meet or exceed the STAAR and End of Course score for entry into each Pre-AP, AP, or Honors course. Demonstrated academic achievement on the state assessments indicates that the student has the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the rigorous college preparatory (Pre-AP), Honors, and college level (AP) courses. The chart on the following page includes the minimum STAAR/ EOC score recommended for entry into Pre-AP/AP courses. The scores are based on passing approximately 70% of the previous STAAR. Raw scores are typically consistent from test to test whereas scale scores may fluctuate based on test date and format (computer/ paper). The raw score will be used to determine eligibility. Appeal of Criteria. Students and parents may appeal to the campus review committee which may consist of the course teacher, the department chairperson, the AVID teacher, the student's counselor, a campus administrator, the student's parent and/or primary caretaker, and the student. Appeal forms will be available in the counselor s office and will be due the first business day in May. Expectations Mandatory Parent Meeting in Spring. All parents are required to attend one of the parent meetings held during the Spring semester. Summer Assignments. Completion of ALL summer assignments by the first week of school. This applies to all returning DISD students. A seven day grace period from the day of enrollment will be granted for students new to DISD. Failure to complete summer assignments may result in being removed at the first 9 weeks due to failing grades. Commitment Statement. A contract signed by both student and parent will be due the first week of school or upon enrollment for new students. AP Exams. The purpose of AP courses is to earn college credit. Students enrolled in AP courses are expected to register and take the respective AP Exam(s) in May. Registration will be in March. Cost per exam ranges from $60 to $82 depending on state approved reductions. Students eligible for the free/reduced meal program will receive a reduced rate. 4

Required state assessment scores are based on the course grade in the previous course pertaining to the PreAP, AP, or Honors course. Most test scores are based on passing 70% of the previous STAAR test. Raw scores do not change whereas the scale scores fluctuate each test date. The raw score will be used to determine eligibility. 2016 Assessment (or year EOC was taken) Grade of 80-100 in previous Regular Academic course (Raw Score # correct) Grade of 75-100 in previous PreAP or AP course (Raw Score # correct) Entry Into Course Grade 8 Reading 38 38 PreAP English I PreAP W. Geography PreAP Spanish/ French Grade 8 Reading 45 45 AP Human Geography Grade 8 Math 36 36 PreAP Algebra I Grade 8 Science 38 38 PreAP Biology Grade 8 Social Studies 37 37 PreAP W. Geography Grade 8 Social Studies 43 43 AP Human Geography English I EOC 64 64 PreAP English II PreAP Physics PreAP Spanish/French PreAP World History English I EOC 76 76 AP World History Algebra I EOC 35 35 Algebra 1 EOC 38 38 Biology EOC 38 38 English II EOC 64 64 PreAP Geometry PreAP Algebra II PreAP Pre-Calculus AP Calculus AP Statistics PreAP / AP Chemistry PreAP/AP Physics AP Biology Honors Anatomy and Physiology AP Environmental Systems PreAP / AP Chemistry AP English III Language AP English IV Literature AP US History AP European History AP Government AP Economics PreAP Spanish/French AP Spanish/French PreAP/ AP Physics 5

Exit from a Pre-AP/AP/ Honors Class College and university admissions officers have repeatedly indicated that high school students who successfully complete a PreAP/AP course are given greater consideration when all other college admissions indicators are equal. A transcript that indicates that a student has earned a "C" in a PreAP/AP course is given higher consideration than one who earns an "A" in an academic course. For this reason, DHS counselors, administrators, and teachers strongly advise PreAP/AP students to stay in the course working through difficulties by attending tutorials, doing extra reading/work at home, joining a student study group, and taking copious notes in class. If a student indicates that he/she wants out of the class and scheduled into the corresponding academic class, the following timeline and procedure(s) must be followed. Exit points are built into our registration and master scheduling process. Exit Point #1. Students are registered for courses during the spring of the previous school year. It is important that students carefully select their coursework making wise decisions based on their time commitments, their interests, and their demonstrated academic achievement. Parents are given a course selection sheet in early March in order to provide parents with an opportunity for parental input in the course selections. Parents may make changes and return the course verification sheet to the counselor by mid-april. The first exit point after initial registration will be made available to all students in May. All students will review their course selections during the last two weeks of the school year prior. Students may request a schedule change during this time. A parent/primary caregiver signature is required for the schedule change. Exit Point #2 First 9 Weeks. Pre-AP/AP students who are failing the Pre-AP/AP course the end of the first grading period are in danger of failing for the semester. Serious consideration must be given to the students' willingness to complete the rigorous coursework and to his/her time commitments in order for him/her to be successful and earn the.5 credit for the first semester. Pre-AP/AP students who are failing a Pre-AP/AP course at the end of the first 9 weeks will be moved to the respective academic course. Students with a 65-69 may remain in the course as long as the student, parent, and teacher agree the student has the ability to pass for the semester. The student s parent or primary caregiver will be notified by the Pre- AP/AP teacher about failing grade and course of action at the end of the 9 weeks. Exit Point #3 End of the First Semester. Any student who fails a Pre-AP/AP course with a grade below 70 for the first semester will be removed from the course at the end of the first semester. The student's parent or primary caregiver will be notified by the Pre-AP/AP teacher of the failing grade which will result in a schedule change. Parents may also request to remove the student from the course for the second semester. Parent or primary caregiver must notify the counselor before the first business day in December. 6

Advanced Placement, Honors and Pre-AP Contract Dickinson Independent School District Dickinson ISD s goal is for students to be successful at the highest possible level. Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP), Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) classes in Dickinson ISD stimulate and challenge students to perform at an advanced academic level. We are pleased you are accepting the challenge of Pre-AP/Honors/AP work. Pre-AP and Honors classes allow students to experience the expectations and activities provided by the AP program and are designed to prepare highly motivated students for the rigorous and fast-paced AP classes. AP classes provide students the opportunity to take college level classes, and upon successfully completing the College Board Advanced Placement exams, earn college credit while still in high school. Parental support is the key for success of Pre-AP/Honors/AP students; therefore, please read and discuss the following points: Pre-AP/Honors/AP courses require more individual study time per week than a regular class. Students will need to read and prepare outside of class to participate effectively in classroom discussions and activities. Tutoring will be available for all students and required before dropping a Pre-AP/Honors/AP course. Review the attached Academic Integrity Guidelines. Breach of the Academic Integrity Guidelines may result in disciplinary consequences and removal from Pre-AP/Honors/AP classes. Expectations: 1. Retesting and late work policy: Late work in a Pre-AP/Honors/AP course may not receive full credit in accordance with the grading guidelines distributed by each teacher. Penalties may vary by course but will be communicated in writing at the beginning of the course. Students and teachers should discuss any extenuating circumstances that may allow for extensions. Re-teaching and re-evaluation will be provided should 50% of the students not demonstrate mastery of the skills taught. Re-evaluation may include, but is not limited to oral examination, special assignment sheets, special homework assignment, or a formal test. The policy for makeup work after an absence is outlined in the grading guidelines for the class. 2. Pre-AP/Honors/AP students who are failing the Pre-AP/Honors/AP course the end of the first official grading period are in danger of failing for the semester. Serious consideration must be given to the students' willingness to complete the rigorous coursework and to his/her time commitments in order for him/her to be successful and earn the 0.5 credit for the first semester. Pre-AP/Honors/AP students who are failing a Pre-AP/Honors/AP course at the end of the first 9 weeks will be moved to the respective academic course, if available. Students with a 65-69 may remain in the course as long as the student, parent, and teacher agree the student has the ability to pass for the semester. The student s parent or primary caregiver will be notified by the Pre-AP/AP teacher about failing grade and course of action at the end of the 9 weeks. 3. Any student who fails a Pre-AP/Honors/AP course with a grade below 70 for the first semester will be removed from the course at the end of the first semester. The student's parent or primary caregiver will be notified by the Pre-AP/Honors/AP teacher of the failing grade which will result in a schedule change. Parents may also request to remove the student from the course for the second semester. Parent or primary caregiver must notify the counselor before the first business day in December. 4. It is an expectation that the student will take the AP test at the end of the AP course. 5. In addition to the above guidelines, each Pre-AP/Honors/AP course may have additional specific requirements. All course requirements will be communicated in writing at the beginning of the course. My signature below indicates that I agree to the conditions outlined in this agreement. Student Name and ID Number Student Signature Parent Signature DEADLINE: September 15th (Turn in to each pre-ap/ap/honors teacher) 7

Dickinson Independent School District Academic Integrity Guidelines It is the policy of Dickinson Independent School District to facilitate honesty and integrity among the student body. Students must work to be successful, each on his/her own merits. Academic dishonesty includes cheating or copying the work of another student, plagiarism, and unauthorized communication between students during an examination. Other examples include giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or assignments, unauthorized changing of grades, unauthorized use of school approvals or forging of signature, or otherwise acting dishonestly in the classroom. The determination that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty shall be based on the judgment of the classroom teacher or another supervising professional employee, taking into consideration written materials, observation, or information from students. Academic misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary penalties in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The assignment or test shall be subject to grade penalties and the parent will be notified at that time. Repeat offenses may result in removal from the program. Examples of Academic Misconduct Cheating -- giving, using or attempting to see unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aides, or other devices in any academic exercise, including the authorized communication of information Fabrication or Falsification -- unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or citation in academic exercise Plagiarism knowingly presenting the work of another as one s own (i.e. without proper acknowledgement of the source). The sole exception to the requirement of knowledge is when the ideas or information are commong knowledge. This includes the use of internet sources. Facilitating Academic Misconduct giving or attempting to help another commit an act of academic misconduct Tampering with Materials, Grades or Records interfering with, altering or attempting to alter school records, grades or other documents without authorization from an appropriate school official for the purpose of changing, falsifying or removing the original information found in such records Copyright Laws All applicable copyright laws will be in effect as related to both computer software and printed materials. (See the Dickinson ISD Acceptable Use of Electronic Communications.) Source: University of Kansas and Bentonville High School 8

Summer Assignments Summer assignments will be posted by June 6 th on the Dickinson High School Website. Summer assignments can be accessed at www.dickinsonisd.org Go to Campus tab Click on Advanced Placement Resources link under Quicklinks Select Summer Assignments o Each advanced course will be listed along with the summer reading information and/ or assignment. 2017 AP Exam Schedule Registration for AP Exams will take place at the beginning of March. Registration dates will be announced by January 2017. Exam fees are due upon registration in March. Research college and university credit policies regarding AP Exams at: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/search-credit-policies Date Morning 7:30 a.m. Afternoon 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2017 Chemistry Environmental Science Tuesday, May 2, 2017 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 Thursday, May 4, 2017 Friday, May 5, 2017 Spanish Language and Culture English Literature and Composition United States Government and Politics United States History Studio Art Physics 1: Algebra-Based Physics 2: Algebra-Based Monday, May 8, 2017 Biology Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Calculus AB Calculus BC French Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Wednesday, May 10, 2017 English Language and Composition Macroeconomics Thursday, May 11, 2017 World History Statistics Friday, May 12, 2017 Human Geography European History 9

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