Pre-Advanced PlacementA BRIDGE TO ADVANCED

PLACEMENTAN INFORMATION SESSION FOR PARENTS

Presented byAlene Lindley, Director

Nancy Hess, Instructional OfficerJanuary 12, 2017

The Presentation will be posted on the Katy ISD website…go to:

1. www.katyisd.org2. Departments3. Gifted and Talented and

Advanced Academic Studies

Goals for this presentation

1. Provide information that will assist parents and students in making decisions about secondary course options

2. Provide information on advanced course options for grade 6

3. Explain how GT students are served within the PreAP Program.

Pre-Advanced Placement, Grades 6-10

PreAP courses provide appropriately challenging curriculum for students who are ready for advanced coursework

PreAP & PreAP/GT courses support the development of skills and concepts necessary for success in Advanced Placement courses in high school

What is Advanced Placement?

College Level Courses

Available for grades 10-12 (generally)

Designed and administered by the College Board

Katy ISD AP courses in math, science, social studies, English, world languages, fine arts and computer science

Advanced Placement ExamsTwo or three hour examsMultiple choice questionsFree response questionsAdministered in MayScored on 1-5 scaleScores of 3, 4, 5 are

generally accepted for college credit.

Advanced Placement is not just about college credit, It is also… Students experiencing

college level instruction while in the supportive home/school environment

Students developing college-level analytical and study skills

Students gaining academic confidence

WHAT COUNTS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Work/School Activity

Essay

Overall Grades

Class Rank

SAT Scores

Courses Selected

6

14

39

42

46

82

1992 NACAC Survey

College Admissions Officials% citing “considerably important”

Pre-AP (grades 6-10) in Katy ISD is designed to better prepare students for the academic rigor of Advanced Placement courses.

PreAP is NOT Advanced Placement.

Pre-AP Curriculum in Katy ISD

Built upon the core academic curriculumAcademically advanced course of studyCurriculum objectivesResourcesPerformance expectations

Developed with a concentration on building the student’s capacity to understand rigorous content

English/Language Arts

English/Language Arts

6th Pre-AP Reading and Pre-AP English

7th Pre-AP Reading and Pre-AP English

8th Pre-AP English

9th Pre-AP English I

10th Pre-AP English II

11th AP English Language and Composition

12th AP English Literature and Composition

English/Language Arts

Academic Pre-AP/AP

No required summer reading

Summer reading beginning the

summer after 5th

gradeTimed assessments are

not emphasizedTimed Writings

Young Adult Literature Authors of Merit

PreAP Summer Reading for 5th to 6th graders

Purpose of PreAP/GT Summer Reading In Katy ISD, students who enroll in PreAP or AP English courses are

expected to read an appropriately challenging work of literary merit over the summer to create an initial common framework for course discussion and study.

Details Students will choose a text to read from a campus list.

Guiding Question: What events advance the story, and how does each event lead to or foreshadow future events?

In May 2017, campus letters will be distributed to students as well as posted at www.katyisd.org.

Social Studies

Social Studies6th Pre-AP World Cultures7th Pre-AP Texas History8th Pre-AP U.S. History9th &

10thPre-AP World Geography OR AP Human Geography,Pre-AP World History ORAP World History

11th AP U.S. History

12th AP Government/AP Economics

Social Studies Skill Development

Primary and secondary document analysis

Outside reading in addition to textbook

Accountability for independent reading

Thesis and Essay Writing Note-making

Science

Science6th Pre-AP Science

7th Pre-AP Science

8th Pre-AP Science

9th Pre-AP Biology

10th Pre-AP Chemistry

11th AP Physics 1

12th AP Physics 2, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science

Science Courses may have advanced math pre- or co-requisites.

Mathematics

The Special Case of Mathematics…..

Goal of Pre-AP Mathematics in grades 6 and 7: success in Algebra I in 8th grade

Accelerated curriculum in 6th and 7th grades6th grade PreAP math includes 1/3 7th

grade math7th grade PreAP math includes 2/3 of 7th

and 2/3 of 8th grade math.

High School Math Courses

8th Algebra I

9th Pre-AP Geometry

10th Pre-AP Algebra II

11th Pre-AP Pre-calculus

12th AP Calculus AB or BC

MathematicsAcademic Pre-AP/AP

6th/

7th

Sixth and Seventh grade curriculum

6th, 7th and 8th grade curriculum

8th Eighth grade mathematics

Algebra I

9th Algebra I Pre-AP Geometry

12th Pre-calculus(Possibly AP Statistics)

AP Calculus AB or BCAP Statistics

Making Course Decisions….

College Board’s Equity Policy Statement…equitable access a guiding principle for their AP

programs by giving all willing and academically prepared students the opportunity to participate in AP.

…students should have access to academically challenging course work before they enroll in AP classes, which can prepare them for AP success.

Advanced Academics in Katy ISDKaty ISD recognizes the value of student

participation in advanced academic coursework and encourages students to graduate from high school with advanced academic course credit.

Students are encouraged to access the most rigorous curriculum in which they can be successful, generally defined as earning a C or better semester average.

Katy ISD Advanced Academics

PreAP and AP courses are designed to challenge students beyond grade-level academic courses and prepare them for success in future advanced level coursework.

Student performance in related courses and teacher input are important elements for parents and students to consider in selecting advanced coursework.

Students may require additional encouragement and support to be successful in these courses.

Katy ISD Advanced AcademicsStudents who opt to participate in AP or PreAP must: Successfully complete prerequisite courses as

specified in the course catalog Demonstrate mastery on course-related state-

mandated performance assessments such as STAAR.

Recognize the long term benefits of participation, seek assistance when needed, and commit to staying in the course for a minimum of one semester.

Access to Advanced Academics

Making a decision about Pre-AP and AP1. Consider state test performance and other

course related performance data.2. Review semester averages earned in core

classes.3. Self assess in terms of student attitudes and

study habits.4. Consider personal/academic interests and

strengths.

Demonstrating Persistence…

To encourage students to remain in an advanced course, prior to exiting a course, students must complete a series of steps….

Exiting Advanced Academic CoursesStudents experiencing success (C or better

SEMESTER average) should remain in the course for the semester.

Students petitioning to exit a PreAP or AP course must: conference with the teacher, complete all course assignments, and/or attend recommended tutorials.

Points to remember…

Choices include from zero to multiple Pre-AP courses

Math requires special consideration

Points to remember…

“Some As are not as good as some Bs.”

Emil KreiderEconomics Professor, Beloit College

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Pre-AP courses should a 6th grader take?

It depends. Sixth grade course options are English, Reading, Math, Social Studies and Science.

As many students take all Pre-AP as take some Pre-AP

Students with strong grades in 5th grade are generally successful in pre-AP.

FAQs

Do Pre-AP courses have more homework than academic courses?

Usually, yes. But -parents and students respond that the homework amount is generally appropriate

Are students enrolled in Pre-AP courses able to participate in extracurricular activities?

Many athletes, cheerleaders, music students, etc. successfully take Pre-AP and AP courses.

FAQS

FAQs

Can a student who does not enroll in Pre-AP courses in 6th

grade begin Pre-AP in 7th?

Generally, yes. Math, however, requires special consideration. Students who are strong in math should begin Pre-AP Math in 6th

grade.

FAQs

Is there a difference between the grade points awarded for PreAP and PreAP/GT?

No. Both PreAP and PreAP/GT courses carry a “weighted” grade point.

Junior high courses do not contribute to the official high school Grade Point Average.

Grade in the course

Academic Grade Pts.

PreAP & PreAP/GT Grade Pts.

A 4 5B 3 4C 2 3D 1 2F 0 0

FAQsWhy try Pre-AP in junior high?

Students who enroll in Pre-AP in junior high benefit from early preparation and academic rigor to develop the academic skills to more easily transition to AP coursework.

Grades earned in junior high courses do not count toward the high school GPA (high school courses taken in junior high do count toward high school GPA)

FAQs

Can students with accommodations take PreAP courses?

Yes. Because some accommodations are allowed on the actual AP exams, accommodations are also appropriate in PreAP and AP if they do not change the content of the course.

FAQs

Can my child test out of a JH course to accelerate to the next level?There is a process in place known as Credit By Exam.

Contact your campus counselor for more information.Deadlines: http://www.katyisd.org/Documents/Calendars/CBE_Calendar.pdfMore Information:http://www.katyisd.org/dept/assessment/Pages/Credit-by-Examination-(CBE).aspx

Credit By Exam Calendar

PreAP and Gifted Learners

Students identified as Gifted are served within the PreAP program in classes designated as PreAP/GT.

Only students formally identified should enroll in courses designated PreAP/GT. Parents of 5th grade students who are identified for the secondary GT program should receive notifications the week of January 23rd regarding GT course approvals.

Newly identified for the secondary programChallenge students

Most GT secondary students are clustered in Pre-AP classes. What is the advantage of GT identification in that situation?

• GT identification is designed to address the particular educational needs of the gifted learner.

• The teacher must have 30 hours of GT training • The teacher is aware of the GT identification and

can address unique needs of gifted learners in that class.

• GT students are part of a learning community that can help meet their social/emotional and intellectual needs.

• A cluster of GT students in a class creates a unique dynamic in the classroom that is evidenced by the dialogue and the depth of the conversation in the class.

FAQs

Is GT “more work”?

• GT students should not receive assignments “in addition to” the standard assignments, but may receive assignments “in lieu of” the standard assignments. Replacement assignments are typically more open ended and flexible in the way students demonstrates their learning.

FAQsIs it advisable to take all PreAP/ GT classes?• It depends on the strengths and

interests of the individual child.

What if my student is not identified in all areas?• Students may enroll in PreAP classes or

appropriate academic classes. Screening for service in additional areas may be requested in the spring of each year.

FAQs

My child is approved for a GT course for next year, but we decide not to enroll in that course that grade. Can my child enroll in that GT course in the next grade?

• No. Your child will have to be screened for that content area during the spring screening window in the next school year for service in the following school year.

FAQs

What if my child is not successful in the program? Contact the GT facilitator about exit policies.

Can my child leave the program? Yes; students can formally exit the program or

furlough from the program.

What is a furlough? A temporary exit from a GT course for specific

reasons detailed in KISD board policy, such as a schedule conflict. Furloughs are limited to a specific timeframe.

What if we move to a different school in Katy ISD or my child is affected by changes in attendance zones?

Students identified for the KISD GT Program at one campus will join the GT Program at their new campus.

Goals for this presentation

1. Provide information that will assist parents and students in making decisions about secondary course options.

2. Provide information on advanced course options for grade 6.

3. Explain how GT students are served within the PreAP Program.

For additional information:

Attend Course Selection Nights

Consult the Course Catalog

Contact the Junior High Counselor

The Presentation and the handout will be posted on the

Katy ISD website...go to:1. www.katyisd.org2. Departments3. Gifted and Talented and

Advanced Academic Studies4. Look for “PreAP: A Bridge to

Advanced Placement.”