Advanced Placement Courses “AP”

The Who, What, When and Why

The AP Program: Accept the Challenge

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow high school students the opportunity to acquire college level content knowledge.

• Through AP exams students have the chance to earn credit in more than 90% of colleges and universities in the US and Canada.

About AP“The Why”

• Achievement

• Preparation

• Confidence

Question:

• What is the best preparation for scoring well on the ACT?

• What happens in the classroom day in and day out?

Benefits of taking AP Exams

• Earn college credit and advanced placement

• Earn AP scholar awards• Learn what professors are looking

for• Success in AP leads to success in

college

AP Exam Grades

• AP Exam grades are a combination of scores from a multiple choice and a free response section. The final grade is reported on a 5 point scale:

• 5= extremely well qualified• 4= well qualified• 3= qualified• 2= possibly qualified• 1= no recommendation

AP Course Options

• There are 37 courses and exams across 22 subject areas - AP offers something for everyone.

• RCS offers 16 AP courses which may be taken during a student’s years at RHS.

• Students may elect to take exams in any area not offered.

RHS AP Course Offerings

• English Language• English Literature• French V AP• German V AP• Spanish V AP• Studio Art

RHS AP Course Offerings

• United States History• United States Government and

Politics• Psychology• Calculus AB• Calculus BC• Statistics

RHS AP Course Offerings

• Biology• Environmental Science• Chemistry• Physics

Advanced Placement 2005-2008

398

823

580

448

951

711

568

1104

825

687

1297

979

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Students Tested (#) Tests Taken (#) Scores at "3" or higher (#)

2005 2006 2007 2008

75%

75%

74.7%

76%

Advanced Placement Results, 2008

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Eng Lang/Comp Eng Lit/Comp Env Science

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igh

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Rochester HS Stoney Creek HS Rochester Adams HS

Advanced Placement Results, 2008 (continued)

0%

10%

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30%

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90%

100%

German Gov/Pol US Physics C-E&M Physics C - Mech Statistics US History Spanish

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igh

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Rochester HS Stoney Creek HS Rochester Adams HS

Indicators of AP Success

• Explore composite score, PSAT scores

• Part of the progression in the RHS curriculum

• Students who are willing to make a commitment to academic excellence

• Students with the study habits to tackle rigorous course work

• Students with a strong interest in the given content area

Educational Planning and Assessment System (EPAS)

EXPLORE 8th and 9th grade (score range 1 to 25)

PLAN 10th grade (score range 1 to 32)

ACT 11th and 12th grade (score range 1 to 36)

1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36

ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

ACT College-Readiness Benchmarks

ACT Readiness Benchmarksfor Credit-Earning College Courses

College EXPLORE (8th/9th) PLAN (10th) ACT (11th/12th)Credit-EarningCollege Readiness College Readiness College ReadinessCourse Benchmarks Benchmarks Benchmarks

English Comp. English English English

Algebra Math Math Math

Social Science Reading Reading Reading

Biology Science Science Science

9th

14

18

16

20

15

19

17

21

18

22

21

24

8th

13

17

15

20

63%

78% 77%72% 71%

78%83% 84%

88% 91%95% 94% 96%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

AP Pass Rate by Entering EXPLORE Composite Score

Predictive Relationship Between AP Enrollment and Performance and College Readiness as a Success Measure

• For students who took no AP classes in high school• 17% will graduate within 5 years of

enrollment in college

• For students who took at least one AP course but did not take an AP exam• 37% will graduate within 5 years of

enrollment in college

• For students who took at least one AP course, took the exam, but did not pass the exam (scored a 1 or 2)

• 42% will graduate within 5 years of enrollment in college

• For students who took at least one AP course, took the exam, and passed the exam (scored a 3, 4, or 5)

• 64% will graduate within 5 years of enrollment in college

Predictive Relationship Between AP Enrollment and Performance and College Readiness as a Success Measure

AP: The University Perspective

• Sally Lindsley • The Senior Associate Director

of Undergraduate Admissions from the University of Michigan

Additional Resources

The College Board Website has a special resource- Bulletin for AP Students and Parents:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

Advanced Placement Use in Admissions Review and Placement at the

University of Michigan

Sally LindsleySenior Associate Director

Office of Undergraduate AdmissionsUniversity of Michigan

Rochester High SchoolFebruary 25, 2009

Benefits of AP as Part of High School Curriculum

• Demonstrated rigor– Selective colleges and institutions evaluate candidates for

admissions based on rigor of curriculum offered in their respective high schools.

• Curriculum – Nationally normed AP curriculum– Assists school districts with limited funding for curriculum

development to provide for students to be challenged in their areas of academic strength – offers a standard template for teachers to use in developing their individual curriculum; AP workshops made available during the summer to enhance instruction.

– Michigan Virtual High School allows students to enroll in 2 AP online classes per year – provides academic opportunities for students from secondary school districts with small enrollments to take advantage of the AP program.

Advanced Placement Selection and Review Process

– Multiple, Comprehensive, Holistic Admissions Process

– AP scores can help corroborate excellent grades on a transcript, and weak scores can illuminate potential areas of concern

• # of AP courses taken and grades received by student

– All courses do not carry an equal weight in the admissions process.  We expect successful applicants to have attempted the toughest curriculum available to them at their HS – AP is one way to demonstrate rigor on the transcript

• E.g., College of Engineering – student s advised to enroll in highest levels of math and science offered - AP Calculus, AP statistics, AP Chemistry, and/or AP Physics.

– Retention of the Student correlated to Rigor in HS

Use of AP in Application Evaluations

University of Michigan Freshman Undergraduate Admissions Review Guidelines

From Michigan’s evaluation process guidelines:“Category: Academic Achievement, Quality, and Potential

Curriculum

The transcript is extremely important in noting the grades the applicant has achieved as well as the rigor and quality of the curriculum. Given the wide disparity in high school course selection and offerings, it is imperative that the choice of strong courses, particularly those courses clearly identified as honors and AP/IB should be considered in the context of that particular high school. What is the quality and strength of courses offered? Has the applicant taken advanced and/or challenging classes? Does the high school have strict prerequisites for entrance into these courses? What are the applicant’s curricular interests and strengths? Did the applicant dual enroll? Or, has the applicant extensively studied a particular subject?

Reviewers will also have the flexibility to give an outstanding rating to applicants who took college-level courses in academic subjects and received excellent to outstanding grades. Reviewers may exercise their judgment when giving below average, average, good, excellent, or outstanding ratings to curriculum, as part of the overall academic achievement rating.”

http://www.admissions.umich.edu/prospective/prospectivefreshmen/eval_categories.php#Academic

Decision Categories

• HA = High Admit• Consistent outstanding evaluation (show strong evidence of taking

challenging courses offered at school)• Students who would be considered for top merit scholarship programs

• A = Admit• Consistent outstanding or excellent evaluation (show evidence of taking

some challenging courses offered at school)• No deficiencies

• AR = Admit with Reservation• Mostly outstanding / excellent evaluations, possibly good in select areas• A single deficiency, or very few minor deficiencies• Student is competitive for admission

• DR = Deny with Reservation• Consistent good or average evaluation (school offers challenging

courses and no evidence of student having taken any rigor)• Several deficiencies, or a major deficiency• Student is qualified for admission

• D = Deny• Consistent average or below average ratings• Student is not qualified for admission

Entering Class of 2008

Freshmen 2008 2007 2006

Applications 29,814 27,774 25,806

Admits 12,566 (42.1%) 13,828 (49.8%) 12,248 (47.4%)

Paids 5,881 6198 5,654

Target 5,700 5,600 5,413

Enrollment 5,763 5,998 5,399

Note: Includes Spring, Summer, and Fall terms.

Profile of 2008 Admitted Freshman Students (all units – middle 50%)

GPA 3.7-4.0

SAT I 1300-1460

SAT-V 630-710

SAT-M 670-750

ACT 28-32

ACT-E 27-33

ACT-M 27-33

TOP 20% 99%

Policies Regarding Granting College Credit

Who determines credit at post-secondary institutions:

• Typically faculty within a department will determine credit policy for an AP exam. Strictly a “local” decision – no national guidelines.

• U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions requests yearly updates each spring from faculty in the individual colleges and departments.

– Provide analysis to the six undergraduate schools/colleges on enrolling class’s reported examination scores and number of credits awarded.

Policies Vary at Different Institutions

• No Credit nor any Placement

• No Credit but advanced placement in next level courses

• A Mix of Credit or Placement

• No Credit below 5

• No Credit below 4

• No Credit below 3

• Different Schools / Colleges / Departments want different scores

University of Michigan Policy

• 4 or 5 yields course equivalent or departmental credit

• 3 in some departments yields course equivalent or departmental credit

• Approximately 63% of the enrolling freshman class for 2008 received credit for their reported scores.

% of Freshman Cohort Granted AP Credits, 1998-2008

Percent of University of Michigan Freshmen Cohort Granted AP Credits, 1998-2008

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1998

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2008

Cohort Year

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AP at U-M

May 2008 score reports

• U-M received 13,832 AP exam scores

• 81% were a 3 or higher• 57% were 4 or 5

• 2,748 were for English AP exams – Eng. Lang & Comp = 1,020 and Eng. Lit. & Comp. = 1,728

• 2,562 were for Calculus AP exams – Calculus AB = 1,684 and Calculus BC = 878

AP at U-M

• 6,265 students reported 13,832 total test scores to U-M in all 37 tests administered in 22 subjects areas in May 2008

– Majority of students were enrolling freshman Fall 2008– Top 5 tests by number of scores reported

• English Language & Literature – 1,728• Calculus AB – 1,684 • US Government & Politics – 1,042• English Language & Composition – 1,020• Biology – 953

• Highest number of test scores reported – Score of 5

• Calculus AB – 585 • Calculus BC – 494 • Biology – 344• Psychology – 318• US Government & Politics – 272

– Score of 4• English Language & Literature – 609• Calculus AB – 446• English Language & Composition – 320• US History – 257• Biology – 247

Average # AP credits, 1998-2008

Average # AP Credits Granted to University of Michigan, 1998-2008

0

2

4

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8

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12

Cohort Year

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Average # AP Subjects for U-M Freshman, 1998-2008

Average # AP Subjects for University of Michigan Freshmen, 1998-2008

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Top 5 AP Subjects per Freshmen Cohort Year

• Cohort Year Test Component # of Freshmen

• 1998 CALSB 1409• 1998 I NTEN 1201• 1998 PHYSM 775• 1998 EH 636• 1998 BY 608

• 1999 CALSB 1583• 1999 INTEN 1284• 1999 PHYSM 955• 1999 CH 823• 1999 BY 811

• 2000 EL 1611• 2000 CALAB 1500• 2000 AMHIS 1167• 2000 CH 1138• 2000 ENGL 881

• 2001 EL 1788• 2001 CALAB 1701• 2001 AMHIS 1359• 2001 CH 1225• 2001 ENGL 1018

• 2002 EL 1650• 2002 CALAB 1505• 2002 AMHIS 1295• 2002 CH 1137• 2002 ENGL 1022

Cohort Year Test Component# of Freshmen2003 EL 16172003 CALAB 15802003 AMHIS 14152003 CH 12212003 ENGL 1077

2004 CALAB 16392004 EL 16382004 AMHIS 15092004 CH 13212004 ENGL 1167

2005 EL 17452005 CALAB 16602005 AMHIS 15982005 CH 14312005 ENGL 1232

2006 CALAB 15582006 EL 15222006 CH 14352006 AMHIS 14112006 ENGL 1182

2007 EL 17912007 CALAB 17722007 CH 17702007 AMHIS 16042007 ENGL 1331

2008 CH 17662008 CALAB 17502008 EL 16012008 AMHIS 15502008 ENGL 1268

University of Michigan Policy (contd)

– Calculus AB and BC– Computer Science– Economics– English Language &

Composition– English Literature &

Composition– Environmental Science– French Language & Literature

– American, European, & World History

– History of Art– Human Geography– Latin Vergil and Latin Literature– Music Theory– Psychology– Spanish Language & Literature– Statistics

Some University of Michigan departments grant credit and placement for a score of 3 or above. (Subscoresfrom Calculus and Music Theory are not used.)

Examinations requiring a score of 4 or 5 include:

• The amount of credit given for some exams differs. To receive credit for Chemistry, the College of Engineering requires a score of 4 or 5. The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts requires a score of 3 for Chemistry if the student placed into Chemistry 210 and 211 based on results from placement exam taken during orientation. Also, students enrolling in some honors math courses may have credit adjusted after completing the honors courses.

• Newest AP exams in Chinese Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Culture – U-M Asian Languages and Cultures Department opted to follow existing practice: Orientation placement test to be placed into a Japanese or Chinese course. Chinese also allowed taking Chinese proficiency test (HSK) to be placed out of the 4-semester language requirement.

University of Michigan Policy (contd)

Chemistry – College of Engineering and College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

AP Examination Score Credit for Course Credit Hours

Placement (Eligible to enroll in)

Chemistry

College of Engineering

4 Chemistry 130 3

5 Chemistry 125 (1)/126 (1) & Chemistry 130(3)

5

Chemistry

College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

3 3 hours for Chemistry 130 and 2 hours for Chemistry 125 (1)/126 (1)

5 Chem 210, 211

3 No credit if not placed into Chem 210, 211 by taking placement exam during orientation

0 Chem 125/126 (if prehealth profession) + 130

4 or 5 Chemistry 125 (1)/ 126 (1) & Chemistry 130 (3)

5 All students with an AP score of 4 or 5 are eligible to elect Chem 210, 211.

University of Michigan Policy (contd)

• Credit earned through Advance Placement enables students to take courses at a more challenging level and counts toward graduation requirements. However, AP credit cannot be used to fulfill Area Distribution requirements in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA).

• LSA Curriculum committee periodically reviews the overall transfer credit policies for the college including AP, IB and dual enrollment courses.

• Students cannot receive credit more than once for the same course, nor can they receive credit by taking a course at a level lower than indicated by a placement exam. Courses elected at U-M must be at a more advanced level (usually a higher number) than what they would receive through Advanced Placement. 

• http://www.admissions.umich.edu/academics/apguidelines.html

Concerns/Issues

• Is Advanced Placement rigorous enough?

• Can a high school teacher develop a college level course that is at least as rigorous as AP?

• Can class discussion in a high school class replicate class discussion in a college class?

• Can a high school lab experience replicate a college lab experience?

• Does a score of 3 or 4 or even 5 equate to the breadth and depth of the subject covered in “our” college course?

More . . .

• Will students enter with AP credits and

1. Graduate early?

2. Take light academic load senior year?

3. Be ready for the next course in the sequence of classes?

Rochester High Rochester High School School Advanced Placement Advanced Placement

ProgramProgramChristopher Green, CoordinatorChristopher Green, Coordinator

“There are no secrets to success: Don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure…and persistence.”

- Colin Powell

The ClassesThe Classes

“AP courses are the only ones actually designed by teams of college professors who work alongside expert secondary school teachers. Plus, college faculty participate in the scoring of the AP Exam you’ll take at the end of your course, comparing you to their own college students, verifying your mastery of the same level of curriculum.” – College Board

Provides rigor colleges and the business world demands. Prepares students for the challenges of a college course Challenges the students to meet or exceed their ability

and potential. Helps improve your reading and writing skills.

SchedulingScheduling

All AP classes are full year (2 semester All AP classes are full year (2 semester classes)classes)

Offered in 10Offered in 10thth -12 -12thth grades. grades. Are based on the proven ability of the Are based on the proven ability of the

student and teacher recommendation.student and teacher recommendation. Should be in the area of student career Should be in the area of student career

or academic interest.or academic interest. The number of AP classes taken each The number of AP classes taken each

year should be made with common sense. year should be made with common sense.

TestingTesting Purpose of taking the course is to prepare Purpose of taking the course is to prepare

students for taking the AP test.students for taking the AP test. Occurs in May of each year.Occurs in May of each year. Each test is typically 3 hours and involves Each test is typically 3 hours and involves

multiple-choice and essays or problems.multiple-choice and essays or problems. All or a portion of test costs can be paid All or a portion of test costs can be paid

for based on student financial need.for based on student financial need. Earn credit or advanced placement or Earn credit or advanced placement or

both at most Universities with a score of both at most Universities with a score of 3 and above.3 and above.