P R E S E N T E D B Y :

C A R R I E R I V E R A , A D V A N C E D A C A D E M I C S C O O R D I N A T O R

FINDING SUCCESS IN ADVANCED COURSES

LOWERY BY THE NUMBERS

• 15 Pre-AP/IB Courses

• 1 AP Course

• 49 total teachers

• 1355 students enrolled

(about 76% of student

population)

LFC’S ADVANCED ACADEMIC PHILOSOPHY

Students have a “right to rigor”.

We owe them the opportunity

to experience true academic

challenges before they enter

college.

EXPECTATIONS IN AN ADVANCED ACADEMIC COURSE

MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL

Middle School

• Taking notes was typically teacher

led or done with an outline

• Homework was normally done with

minimal assistance and took little

time to complete

• Tutoring was available, but not

always utilized

• Tests on multiple days wasn’t a big

issue

• High grades came quickly and

easily

High School

• Note-taking is not always teacher led

• Homework is more complex and may require more time to complete

• Tutoring will be a necessity when a breakdown of knowledge occurs

• Studying is more complicated—students may not know where to start studying, have to manage time, etc.

• Sometimes grades are much lower than parents and students are used to seeing

WHAT HAPPENS IN AN ADVANCED COURSE?

• Students enrolled in advanced courses frequently—

• Analyze and interpret texts, data, and evidence

• Write critically about a particular topic

• Create arguments and defend a position on a topic

• Develop and test hypotheses

• Answer questions like: “How?”, “Why?” and “What if?”

• Students enrolled in advanced courses rarely—

• Recite definitions

• Repeat memorized facts

• Answer higher level questions beyond “What?” or “Who?”

HOURS AND HOURS OF HOMEWORK?

• When we hear reports of this, we investigate. We

have found:

• Evidence of overwork—trying to do far more than what is

required or rampant perfectionism

• Students dividing their time—lack of focus on studying and

more focus on social media, music, etc.

• Using middle school strategies

• Studying what is known instead of what is not known

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (PRESENTED BY: ZACH SILVERS, HGAP TEACHER AND DEPARTMENT CHAIR)

• College Course

• Homework– what it looks like; how long it takes

• How to be successful in AP Human Geography

• Expectations for class

• Tutoring

• Resources

• Communication

• Opportunities to bring up grade

• Grades

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY EXAM

• Only way to earn college credit for the course

• Cost - $95 (anticipated)

• Mock Exam: April 28, 2018 @ LFC

• AP Exam Format

• Timed Class Tests

• 83% pass rate on AP Exam last year!

When is the AP Human Geography exam?

Friday, May 18, 2018

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

STUDENT SUCCESS

• Student success is NOT

immediate

• Taking risks could mean

failure, but that’s OK!!

• Learning from failure

promotes

perseverance

• Eventually, success is

achieved!!

FIND MEANING IN FAILURE

Failure:

• is part of the learning process

• does not mean the student is in the wrong course

• is normal when students are exposed to academic

challenges

• is not “official” until the grading period/semester ends

• is scary for students who have never experienced it in an

academic setting

• is uncomfortable

• is temporary

• is not destiny!

STUDENT SUCCESS STRATEGIES

• Staying organized • Get a planner and use

it! • Digital and paper planners are very

different! Use the one you are most efficient and comfortable with daily.

• Plan 2-3 weeks out to anticipate upcoming work/projects. • Budget your time to complete

work…don’t procrastinate!

• Allow for time to reflect on learning • Chunk the work into smaller parts for

review to make it more manageable.

• Studying and Tutoring • Don’t waste time on

what you already know. • Active studying will help you to identify

gaps in knowledge.

• If you can explain in depth, you know it!

• The more often you study the less you have to study.

• Attend tutoring! • Tutoring is available with almost any

teacher either before or after school.

• Have a list of questions ready for tutoring.

• Address assignments that may need to be redone.

GRADES

• Recognize the ebb and flow of the grading period

• Low grades tend to rise as the student acclimates

to the course and the teacher

• May represent habits and not knowledge

• Understand how your average is calculated (grade

weights/percentages)

• Look long-term, not short-term

• Revise / resubmit opportunities

VALUE LEARNING OVER GRADES!

SPECIAL EDUCATION & 504 IN

ADVANCED ACADEMICS

• Students who receive Special Education or Section

504 services do take advanced courses (and are

successful!)

• A disability does not necessarily mean a student

cannot complete rigorous coursework.

• Accommodations available on the PSAT, SAT, ACT,

and in college

GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS

• 16% of the LFC population this year!

• Gifted does not mean:

• Gets high grades easily

• Loves school

• Pre-AP/IB GT Phoenix English- course option for GT-

identified students

GT Parent Meeting

October 24, 2017

6-7 PM in the LFC library

AP & IB AT AHS

PRESENTED BY

SHELLY HOLMES

ADVANCED ACADEMICS COORDINATOR

ALLEN H IGH SCHOOL

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

• Developed by the College Board (PSAT, SAT)

• AP’s mission: To widen access to rigorous, college-level

coursework to high school students.

• AP is an option for linear thinkers who are motivated to

learn and who thrive in a rigorous classroom

environment.

• Exams are mostly M/C with a writing component.

• 5.0 weight on the GPA scale

Allen High School AP Course Offerings:

• Art- Drawing

• Art- 2D Design

• Art- 3D Design

• Art History*

• Biology*

• Calculus AB

• Calculus BC

• Chemistry

• English Language

• English Literature

• French Language 4

• German Language 4

• Government- US

• History- European

• History- U.S.

• Macroeconomics

• Music Theory

• Physics 1 (motion, momentum, circuits)

• Physics C (electricity, mechanics, magnetism)

• Probability and Statistics

• Psychology

• Spanish Language 4

• World History*

*Indicates courses open to 10th grade students.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

• Operated by the International Baccalaureate Organization

• The IBO’s mission is to develop internationally-minded people

who help to create a better and more peaceful world.

• IB is an option for questioners who are looking for a well-

rounded, compete academic program.

• Is not only for students going to college in another country

(common misconception)

• Exams are mostly writing with some M/C in a few subjects.

• 5.0 weight on the GPA scale

Earning an IB Diploma

Complete IB coursework in 11th-12th grades:

1. HL English Language & Literature

2. HL or SL second language at least through Level IV (French, German, or Spanish)

3. HL History of the Americas/20th Century Topics

4. HL or SL Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

5. HL or SL Math, SL Math Studies

6. Elective (HL/SL Art, SL Music, HL/SL Psychology, or a second science course)

Complete Theory of Knowledge (TOK) (2 years)

Research and write the Extended Essay

Complete CAS (Creativity-Activity-Service) experiences