•South Cobb High School is committed to every student’s success.

•We believe access to rigorous course work such as Advanced Placement® (AP®) plays an important role in that success.

Welcome

•What are Advanced Placement® Courses?

•The Benefits

•What Is It Like to Take AP?

•AP® Exams

•How To Support Your Student

•Next Steps: Help Your Child Make the Best Choices

•Q & A

What We’ll Cover

What Are Advanced Placement® Courses?

• AP® courses are college-level courses offered in high school

• Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses

• Students take national AP Exams at the end of the course, measuring their mastery of college-level work

• A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college

Advanced Placement ®: The Basics

• Arts: Music Theory, Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio, Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio, Studio Art: 3-D Design Portfolio

• English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition

• History and Social Sciences: Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Psychology, United States History, Government and Politics, United States History, World History

• Mathematics and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics

• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics

• World languages: Spanish Language

• RED – Courses given at South Cobb BLUE – Prospective courses

Our AP® Courses

• 2000 Number of exams taken

• 8 Average number of exams taken by SC students

• 61 AP Scholars –scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

• 7 AP Scholars with Honors –an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

• 2 AP Scholar with Distinction –an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams

• 2 National AP Scholar --Granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

• These distinctions are acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges.

AP® at South Cobb since 2010 By the Numbers

AP® Myths & Realities

Myth Reality

AP courses are for students who always get good grades.

AP courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses.

AP courses are too stressful. It's no secret that AP courses are challenging. But the support your child receive from classmates and teachers can help your child manage the work load.

I don't think my child will score high enough on the AP Exam to get college credit.

Your child doesn’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit — and placement as well — based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.

Taking AP courses and not being successful could hurt my GPA.

Taking AP courses shows colleges that your child is willing to take academic challenges

My child can’t take AP because no one has recommended me.

If you think your child is ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for them — just talk to a teacher or counselor.

AP®: The Benefits

• Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills

• Taking AP is valued in the college admission process

• AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences

• Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college

AP®: The Benefits

• 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions*

• Colleges rank grades in college-preparatory courses and strength of curriculum as the two top factors in the admission decision

• AP courses tell college admission officials that students are challenging themselves and preparing for the rigors they'll encounter in their college careers

• *Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc., March 2007

AP® from the College Admissions Perspective

• Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for college success

• Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers*

•*2009, The College Board, “The Relationship Between AP Exam Performance and College Outcomes"

AP®: Skills & Advantages that Last a Lifetime

•AP courses challenge students to work and participate at a higher level:

• Opportunities to explore topics in depth

• More time in and out of the classroom required to complete assignments and projects

• High expectations for critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evidence, multiple perspectives, and clear written and verbal communications

AP®: A More Engaging Learning Experience

•When students earn college credit through AP Exams, their options and opportunities expand:

• Move to upper-level college courses sooner

• Pursue a double major

• Gain time to study and travel abroad

AP® Expands Students’ Options

•Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to complete a college degree on time.* Graduating in four years represents a significant savings on the cost of college.

• Only 1 in 4 college students completes a bachelor’s degree in 4 years.

• The average cost of college for a single year is $21,500** for in-state schools (tuition, fees, room/board, misc. expenses).

•*College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences, The College Board, 2008 **The College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2011, Figure 1

AP® Helps Students Graduate on Time & Save Money

• Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less

• No AP 29% likely to finish in 4 years

• One AP 45% likely to finish in 4 years

• Two + AP 61% likely to finish in 4 years

• Another report shows that students who took AP courses were at least twice as likely to graduate college within five years (CPE 2012).

AP and College Success

Student Group AP Exam Grade of 3, 4, 5

AP Exam Grade of 1, 2

Took AP course, but not exam

African-American

28% higher 22% higher 16% higher

Hispanic 28% higher 12% higher 10% higher

White 33% higher 22% higher 20% higher

Low-Income 26% higher 17% higher 12% higher

Not Low-Income

34% higher 23% higher 19% higher

Impact of AP on 5-Year College Graduation Rates

• Chattahoochee Tech• $85 per credit hour = $255 per class

• Kennesaw State• $165 per credit hour = $495 per class

• Georgia• Flat rate fee (based on 15 or more credit hours) $4014

(roughly $267 per credit hour = $800 per class)

• Emory• Fixed rate flat fee (based on 12 or more credit hours)

$43,400 (roughly $3,617 per credit hour = $10850 per class)

2013 Georgia Tuition Figuresnot including room, board, fees and textbooks

KSU estimated expense 1 year

• GA Resident On Campus• Tuition 8,028• Fees 2,234• Books & Supplies 916• Room 5,290• Board 3,956• Transportation 340• Miscellaneous Living Expenses 1,300• Total 22,064 

• Zach took and passed 11 AP tests during his 4 years here at SC

• Zach enrolled at the University of Georgia• They accepted ALL of his tests for a total of 33

credit hours• This made Zach a Sophomore in college before

he ever actually stepped on campus• This saved his proud parents nearly $22,000

• Cost above includes Fees, room and board, tuition, textbooks and other costs

Just one of South Cobb’s Success Stories

•Each college and university has its own policies regarding AP® credit and placement. The College Board offers information about AP credit at thousands of college and universities at www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy.

Credit and Placement Opportunities

• Search by school name or alphabetically

• Data for each school includes a direct link to that school’s Web page detailing AP credit and placement policies

• A statement from the college or university about its AP policy

• AP Program: College Faculty and Students talk about AP

College Admissions Officials In Their Own Words

What is it like to take AP®?

• Honors provides some RIGOR within the State standards• AP® provides the most RIGOR at the high school level

and includes national standards beyond the State standards

• RIGOR is NOT simply more homework or more of the same thing

• RIGOR is depth of understanding, depth of questioning, depth in how students apply what they’ve learned, and depth in the process and product related to their learning is really what we’re talking about.  

What is the academic difference between AP® and Honors?

•Jelani describes how AP will help him achieve his goal

•Lorena discusses commitment

•Support in numbers

Voices:

Our school offers these resources and programs to support our AP students:

• AP Resource Room

• Room 118J – Before/After School, During Lunches

• Resources, learning, study groups, support, coffee and more!

• Donations Accepted!

• Individual Course Review Sessions

• Set by the specific teacher

• Open to ALL AP students but with the emphasis on 1st semester

Our School Offers Support for AP® Students

AP® Exams

•AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates in May each year.

•All of our exams are given off campus at Orange Hill Baptist Church

• Students must provide their own transportation

• Full day excused absence

• Exams are typically 2.5 – 3.5 hours and include:

• Multiple-choice questions

• Free-response items such as essays, problem solving, document-based questions and oral response

AP® Exams

• AP Central Course Home Pages• http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/home

• Here is where you can get all the information about a particular course.

• Key Concepts• Curriculum guides• Past exam questions

AP Central

• The exam fee for 2015 is $91 per exam. • $24 local Registration Fee – annual, one time, non-

refundable• $19 to cover CB costs, $5 to the study room and scholarship

fund

• If you are eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch (F/RL), the state USUALLY pays for the first test taken that year.

• (I say USUALLY because the State Legislature has not announced its plans yet. With that said, it is possible that they won’t follow their pattern of past years. But they have always passed that legislation.)

• Assistance is available for eligible students with financial need:

• College Board 2015 reduced fee is $62

• Local Scholarships are available. ALL student taking an AP test are eligible.

AP® Exam Fees

• Two Registration opportunities

• November • For 1st semester classes

• March• For 2nd semester classes

• Registration form and Scholarship application available from:

• AP teachers• 118E• Main, Magnet, FTA Offices

How to Register

• Encourage students to time manage

in preparation for AP Exams• Support student attendance at AP

study sessions• Encourage them to use the resources

in the Study Room• Purchase review materials if needed• Students should begin reviewing early• Students should take the test seriously

After Registration

• A Pre- Administration meeting will be held in late April.

• Attendance at this meeting is MANDATORY.

• Students will:• Complete registration information for College

Board• Receive information regarding testing

guidelines• Receive course specific information

regarding ( ex. Use of calculators)

Exam Administration

• Off campus

• Orange Hill Baptist Church• Provide your own transportation

• Excused absence

• Full day• Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before scheduled

time• Pick up in a timely manner

AP Exam Administration

Date 8 AM 12 PM

Monday , May 4 Chemistry, Environ Sc

Psychology

Tuesday, May 5 Calculus AB, Calculus BC

Wednesday, May 6 English Literature (12th grade)

Physics 1

Thursday, May 7 Spanish Lang Physics 2

Friday, May 8 US History

Week 1 Testing Schedule

Date 8 AM 12 PM

Monday, May 11 Biology

Tuesday, May 12 US Gov & Pol

Wednesday, May 13 English Lang & Comp (11th grade)

Statistics

Thursday, May 14 World History Macroeconomics

Friday, May 15 Human Geography,Microeconomics

Week 2 Testing Schedule

How You Can SUPPORT Your Student

67% 33% 100% 100% 67%

A* B* C D E0

1

2

3• Understand that AP classes are 60% Independent Study• Keep up with reading and assignments• Use the review book and other study materials• Nightly reading, note taking and assignments are a must!• Be attentive in class• Be Proactive• Have good attendance

Stay POSITIVE!!!!!

AP Student Responsibilities

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2

3 Remember…

• You don’t have to know the content to be supportive of your student.

• You do have to take an active role in learning process.

Parents

67% 33% 100% 100% 67%

A* B* C D E0

1

2

3 • Academic Booster Club--??• Academic Sponsor Letters• Provide breakfast for Exam mornings• Help coordinate community mentors for

tutoring• Sponsor gatherings for AP students• Monitor the Study Room

Ways Parents Can Support the AP Program

67% 33% 100% 100% 67%

A* B* C D E0

1

2

3• Set priorities at home

• Provide quiet space and time for study• Encourage your child to get enough rest

• Be encouraging and supportive• Even if the grades in the early weeks of the class are NOT what you are used too!!

• Quiz your student or have him or her “teach” you• Purchase a review book or other study materials• Encourage good attendance• Help set up study groups• Be prepared to pay for the exams

• see cost analysis slides to make this easier

Ways Parents Can Help Their AP Students

67% 33% 100% 100% 67%

A* B* C D E0

1

2

3

A Wide Variety of Review Books

College Board endorses NO Review book as the best!!

Each teacher has his or her favorite

Next Steps: Help Your ChildMake the Best Choices

•Help your child prepare to talk to a teacher or counselor about AP. Here are some questions to encourage your child to think about:

•What AP course is right for me? •Before you talk to a teacher or counselor, think about what interests you:• Which courses do you enjoy most in school? In which subjects do you excel?• What college majors are you considering? What careers excite you?•Ask your counselor or teacher the following questions:• In which AP courses at our school am I likely to do well?• Are there other courses that can help me succeed in AP or prepare me for college and

careers?•What steps do I need to take? • What is our school’s enrollment deadline?• May I speak with a student who has taken an AP course?• Are there study groups or people who can offer help if I need it?• What can I do next to help me prepare for AP?

AP®: Start the Conversation

• AP information: apstudent.collegeboard.org

• AP Central http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/home

• College and Career Planning: bigfuture.org

• Personalized feedback, practice and college planning based on your PSAT/NMSQT® results: My College QuickStart™ www.collegeboard.org/quickstart

• AP credit policy information from colleges and universities: www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy

AP®: Resources Worth Exploring for Students and Families

• Contact Information

• Dr. Isaac Kelly – AP Coordinator• isaac.kelly@cobbk12.org (preferred)• 770-819-2611 ext. 036

• Sally Giusti – AP Lead Teacher• sally.giusti@cobbk12.org (preferred)• 770-819-2611 ext. 2815

Questions?