2017-2018 Pre-AP/AP Handbook
Hutto High School Pre-Advanced Placement (PAP) and Advanced Placement (AP) Philosophy At HHS, Pre-AP classes give students the opportunity to practice (at the appropriate level) skills which will enable them to be successful in the upper level AP classes. Pre- AP classes will expose students to the type of expectations and activities required by the AP program. Pre-AP classes lay the foundation for success not only in the upper level classes, but also ultimately in college course work itself. Successful Pre-AP students are typically task oriented, proficient readers who are able to set priorities with regard to time and responsibilities. Parental support of the program also plays a key role in the success of these students. AP students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a college-level learning environment. It should be understood AP courses are challenging. However, students can rise to the challenge. The AP courses require students be independent learners practicing effective time management, directed inquiry, strong study skills, applied analysis, and critical thinking. The objectives of the AP courses are for the students to excel on the AP examinations during the spring semester and to promote a successful transition to college. Who can take AP/Pre-AP courses? All students are welcome to take Pre-AP and AP courses. Students who take a Pre-AP or an AP course are usually interested in the subject and committed to the class. To enroll in a Pre-AP or AP class, students should talk with their counselors about the appropriate course(s) to take. Students who scored at Level III on STAAR, are in the GT program, have shown AP potential through the PSAT report, or have a high interest in an academic subject area should enroll in the corresponding Pre-AP or AP course. What is the difference between AP courses and Pre-AP courses? To help students prepare for the demands of the Advanced Placement Program, Hutto High School, Farley Middle School, and Hutto Middle School offer Pre-AP courses in most of the disciplines. Pre-AP courses are strongly recommended for students interested in entering the AP program, for they act as a bridge between on-level and AP courses.
What are the Benefits of the Advanced Placement (AP) Program? For Colleges and Universities: It identifies and attracts highly motivated students who have succeeded in rigorous, college-level courses and demonstrated their ability through demanding national examinations. It provides admissions officers with an excellent predictor of student success in college. It enables students to diversify and deepen their college curriculum by placing them out of introductory level college courses to which they have demonstrated competence. It improves the articulation of college and high school curricula. For High Schools: It enhances the quality of the curriculum. It encourages focused efforts in curriculum alignment. It challenges the academically capable students. It provides opportunities for the best faculty to teach capable, motivated students in demanding courses. It affords rewarding in-service opportunities for motivated faculty members. It gives the college-preparatory program a reputation for high quality and standards. For Students: It provides the opportunity for college credit for courses taken in high school. It develops the analytical and study skills required to succeed in college courses. It motivates students to undertake more challenging work in both high school and college. It provides direction in selecting college majors. It sets students on a more likely path to college graduation, double majors, and graduate school.
Characteristics of Pre-P/AP students Be able to read extremely well Be confident in class discussion and oral expression Be able to listen and participate in the thoughtful exchange of ideas Take responsibility for reading and writing assignments without relying on Cliff s Notes, Internet summaries, and other available resources Be able to accept and to offer constructive criticism Be able to accept and to offer questions for which there are no clear answers Possess writing abilities which demonstrate control of mechanics, grammar, and usage, organization, diction, and syntax Seek out challenges and new concepts Possess a respect and regard for learning in general Be willing to go beyond the minimum requirements of any assignment Score at the advanced performance (Level III) on the STAAR/EOC test closely related to the PAP/AP course being taken PRESCRIPTION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS IN AP/PRE-AP COURSES Establish a good working relationship with your teacher, for he/she is your best source for information about the course. 1. Use course calendars to effectively manage your time and workload for each class. 2. Consult your peers rely on each other to streamline studying for a challenging course by forming a study group with classmates. 3. READ each and every chapter or assignment critically take notes, summarizing salient points IN YOUR OWN WORDS, and record questions as they occur to you for subsequent use in tutorials or class discussions. 4. Take lecture notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS so they have clear meaning to you. 5. Study notes from lectures and previously assigned readings on a consistent basis a small amount of time every night is most effective until tested on the material. 6. STAY ORGANIZED in each of you classes. 7. Beware of the dreaded snowball effect. 8. Attend tutorials any time you don t fully understand major concepts. 9. Make a list of new vocabulary terms and their corresponding definitions; study such new terms regularly until you internalize them. 10. ADVOCATE for YOURSELF: Ask questions (in or out of class), seek assistance (in person or via email), and attend tutorials as needed.
10 WAYS TO HELP STUDENTS DO WELL IN A PRE-AP OR AP CLASS 1. Pay attention to your child s school work and monitor whether or not your student is keeping up with assignments. Calendars and class materials are often available on teachers websites. 2. Assist your student in developing successful time management skills. Encourage him to think ahead about how much time he will need to complete class projects or to prepare for multiple tests in the same week. 3. Be positive about the education your student receives and the skills and opportunities gained through her hard work. Reinforce the benefits of participation and diligence in school and the rewards reaped by maintaining good grades. 4. Create, organize, and maintain a quiet study area at home. 5. Utilize Home Access through the web to stay up-to-date on your student s progress in each of his classes. 6. Set high but realistic expectations for your child s performance. Expect that she will be challenged by her course work and support her as she stretches to tackle those challenges. 7. Encourage your student to attend tutorials as needed. Tutorials provide great opportunities for your child to receive additional one-on-one assistance from his teachers. 8. Be realistic about your student s course load. Too many AP classes for a student active in several clubs, sports, or organizations may cause her to be overextended or exhausted. 9. Discuss with your child the commitment he is making when enrolling in AP or Pre-AP classes. Your student should anticipate remaining in these courses for the duration of the class. 10. Celebrate accomplishments regularly. Praise your student s achievements and efforts; such affirmation will help your student to build self-confidence in her intellectual ability and motivate her to continue on the path to academic achievement.
Pre-AP/AP Courses Offered at Hutto High School Pre-AP English I Pre-AP English II AP English Language & Composition (English III) AP English Literature (English IV) Pre-AP Geometry Pre-AP Algebra 2 Pre-AP Pre-Calculus AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Engineering Math (Advanced Course) Pre-AP Biology Pre-AP Chemistry AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 (Algebra based physics) AP Physics C (Calculus based physics) Anatomy & Physiology (Advanced Course) Medical Microbiology & Pathophysiology (Advanced Course) Pre-AP World Geography AP Human Geography AP World History AP US History American Studies (combination of AP English III and AP US History) AP US Government/AP Economics Pre-AP Spanish II Pre-AP Spanish III AP Spanish IV
PAP/AP Course Expectations: Grading: Pre-AP/AP courses will receive weighted grading when figuring grade point averages for class rank. Late Work: Pre-AP/AP courses do not allow credit for late work/missing assignments. Late work/missing assignments will be assigned a grade of zero and cannot be recovered. If a student fails to turn in an assignment or complete a take home assessment, they will receive a zero. Students who have an excused absence on the day an assignment or take home assessment is due must turn in the assignment or the take home assessment on the day they return. Retesting: Pre-AP/AP courses do allow for retesting. Students are expected to be prepared for every test. However, if a student scores less than a 70 on a major or minor assessment, the student must complete all of the following actions before they can retest: Must attend tutoring prior to retest for reteach Must complete all missing homework/daily assignments prior to retest; no grade will be awarded Must correct the original test prior to retest After a student has satisfactorily completed these actions, they may retest. They must retest prior to the next assessment administration. Semester final exams are not subject to retesting. Recovered assessments are eligible to receive a maximum grade of 70%. Summer Assignments: Students enrolled in Pre-AP/AP courses must complete the summer assignments for that grade level (if required). If a student fails to successfully complete the assignment(s), they will receive a zero as an assessment grade or may request placement in an on-level course. In addition, students and parents should know assignments for the school year are both strenuous and strict and have been selected on educational merit and from AP College Board recommendations. Academic Dishonesty: The student handbook defines plagiarism as the use of another person s original ideas or writing as one s own without giving the other person credit. Examples of plagiarism include discussing and/or copying answers to homework assignments with other persons, copying or paraphrasing information found on the internet or in another reference source without citing the information as coming from a
secondary source, and copying or paraphrasing research papers. Students guilty of plagiarism are subject to academic and/or disciplinary action. No Pass/No Play Waivers: Students enrolled in Pre-AP, AP, or approved advanced courses are eligible for one waiver to No Pass/No Play requirements. Students must complete a waiver form (available in the front office) that must be approved by the instructor of the course as well as the principal. Requirements for Pre-AP/AP Students Complete summer assignment to be turned in on specified date (failure to complete this assignment will result in either a zero being given for the assignment as an assessment grade or removal from the course). Maintain a minimum average of at least 70 each six weeks in all subjects Complete Independent Reading Project each six weeks (English only) If a student fails to meet the previously listed requirements, the student will receive Academic Supervision for the next six weeks. The terms of Academic Supervision are as follows: conference will occur between teacher, parents, and instructional specialist to create an action plan for students students will be required to earn a minimum grade of 70 for the subsequent six weeks Students who fail to meet Pre-AP and AP requirements for two six weeks (six weeks do not have to be consecutive) will be transferred to an on-level course. Students who require Academic Supervision more than once during an academic year will also be transferred to an on-level course.
Hutto High School Pre-AP/AP Handbook Acknowledgement Student s Name (Last, First) Student ID# Date Subject I have read the HHS Pre-AP/AP Handbook and agree to abide by its contents. Student Signature Parent Signature Date Date Note: Please sign and return Handbook Acknowledgement page to the teacher.