Advanced Placement Handbook 2018-2019
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AAddvvaanncceedd PPllaacceemmeenntt HHaannddbbooookk 22001188--22001199 OOoollooggaahh HHiigghh SScchhooooll Mustang PRIDE Personal Responsibility In Developing Excellence Foreword A committee of Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement teachers from the Oologah High School campus came together to develop this document. This document was created for two reasons: first, to promote excellence as well as consistency throughout the AP and G/T program at the secondary level; second, to ensure that our community, educators, parents, and students are kept informed of the policies and procedures that were designed to provide a quality program that meets the needs of advanced and gifted learners. With the continued commitment and dedication of all, we will continue to maintain quality program services. Committee Members Rebekah Askew Sara Craig Amanda Salt Kevin Hogue Christi Harper Contact Information Kevin Hogue Principal 918-443-6000 [email protected] Counselor Sara Craig 918-443-6000 [email protected] (11 – 12) Dawn Counselor [email protected] 918-443-6000 Martinez (9 – 10) HS Gifted and [email protected] Amanda Salt Talented 918-443-6000 Coordinator www.oologah.k12.ok.us http://apcentral.collegeboard.com 2 Advanced Placement Handbook This handbook sets forth the Oologah High School’s Advanced Placement Program. The handbook outlines the services, policies and procedures for G/T students and regular students in the Advanced Placement program. The G/T students are served through the Pre-AP and AP program in the four core areas: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The purpose of this working document is to clarify expectations for students enrolled in advanced courses at the high school and to explain the procedures and requirements. The content and curricular goals of each AP discipline are outlined in an AP Course Description supplied by the College Board. AP courses are characterized by an immersion in college-level content, an accelerated pace, and a performance assessment at the synthesis and evaluative levels. Typically, successful AP students are task-oriented, proficient readers, able to prioritize their time, and have parental support. The AP program prepares students for the future by giving students tools that will serve them well throughout their college career. The gifted and talented (Pre-AP and AP) courses challenge and enrich motivated college-bound students to expand their education beyond the typical secondary program. Pre-AP and AP course work develops advanced skills and content background to prepare students for Advanced Placement (AP) exams as well as the college environment. What is the Advanced Placement (AP) Program at OHS? The AP Program serves the gifted and talented (G/T) and regular students enrolled at Oologah High School. This program incorporates high-level educational services to meet the needs of those gifted and talented students. It provides access to quality education for G/T students, accelerates learning, rewards achievement, and enhances the high school and college programs. Each teacher who teaches advanced courses (Pre-AP, AP) is trained in Advanced Placement curriculum. G/T students at OHS are serviced through the Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement program in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If a student has been identified as G/T, the following suggestions are highly recommended: 1. Student enrolls in at least one advanced (Pre-AP or AP) course in one of the four core areas: English, Social Studies, Math, and/or Science. 2. Student continues advanced enrollment throughout his/her high school career. Characteristics of students successful in advanced courses: Willing to work hard; willingness to spend the time and effort required for success Intellectual curiosity; an interest in knowing and learning more (in depth, more detail, more material) Self-disciplined, with good organizational skills Solid academic (content) background in prerequisite courses Looks beyond the immediate assignment; desire to learn for more than a grade Provides valuable contributions in class 3 Characteristics of students NOT successful in advanced courses: Takes courses because of prestige or pressure from friends and/or family; lack of real interest in the subject Overloaded with work, school activities, sports, church activities, and/or charitable work Does school work because it is assigned rather than to know, understand, and grow Difficulty in seeing “global” relationships and more likely to notice only the immediate application Doesn’t actively participate in class Greater interest in debating ideas and/or ideology rather than in a thorough, objective analysis of a topic Oologah High School Required Procedures: Students who are enrolled in advanced courses are to adhere to the following procedures. Failure to do so may result in removal from the class. Students will be required to sign contracts* outlining the course requirements with individual teachers. These procedures will be followed in the Pre-AP and AP courses: *Students will not be enrolled in a Pre-AP or AP Course without a signed contract by both parent/guardian and student. 1. Makeup Work and Late Work: The policy for makeup work after an excused absence is outlined in the Student Handbook. Late work will not be accepted for major assignments or projects. Further clarification of the late- work policy will be given by individual teachers. In extenuating circumstances, a student may request review of his/her case by the AP Committee. 2. Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments will not be awarded in advanced courses. 3. Grading: Each course has its own set of grading standards which reflect its unique nature. Therefore, it is necessary to review individual course criteria and policies when calculating grades. Likewise, College Board Tests in May each have their own individual criteria and grading scales. (See www.collegeboard.com for addition information about specific courses.) 4. AP Exam: Students are required to take the AP exams for all AP courses in which they are enrolled during the 2018-2019 school year. By signing the agreement, you agree to take and pay for the test/s you are enrolled in. The exams are given over a two-week period in May. The cost of the Exam is $94 for one test, $69 for two or more tests and $10 per test for qualifying low income students. Upon enrolling in an AP course at Oologah High School and signing the verification form, you agree to pay for and take the Advanced Placement test given by the College Board in May of 2019. Qualifying scores on AP exams enable students to get university credit or advanced placement at most universities. • Taking the AP Exam provides an opportunity for students to earn college credit and/or advanced placement in college. Even if the student does not earn a score high enough to receive college credit, there are still many great benefits from taking this timed exam. • Reduced Exam Fee Waivers will be available for those who qualify. 4 5. Drop Procedures (Pre – AP or AP): A student will have the first five class days* to decide whether or not to drop the advanced course. Before a student will be dropped the Counselor will meet with the Principal and speak to the parent/guardian. If the parent is unavailable, the Counselor, the Principal, the teacher, and student will make the decision of the placement of the student pending parent approval. If it is decided that the student will remain in the class, the student must remain until the end of the year. No student will be allowed to drop an AP course after the first five days of the class. 6. PSAT, SAT and ACT Students enrolled in advanced courses or involved in the G/T program are encouraged to take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT early in their high school careers. It is recommended that students take these tests more than once; it has been proven that student’s scores usually improved with multiple tries on these standardized tests. Any type of computer program or booklet that helps a student prepare is always beneficial. *Oologah High School became an approved testing site for the ACT. It is our hope we will be able to encourage more of our students to take the ACT as well as offer them familiar and comfortable surroundings while testing. National Merit Scholars are determined from the PSAT scores taken during their junior year, so this test should be taken very seriously. Students should contact their counselor early in September for more information regarding these tests. AP Committee The AP Committee is a committee comprised of AP teachers and building administrators. It is the responsibility of this Committee to encourage participation in AP classes and to continuously monitor the success of the AP programs. The AP Committee studies, recommends, and implements policies governing the advanced placement programs. The AP Committee will also review concerns of parents and students to protect the student from failure. The Appeals Process Appeals Statement for Behavior/Grades/Attendance/Test Score Problems For the appeals process, you must: Schedule a meeting in the counselor’s office with Mrs. Craig for a meeting with the AP Committee. Have a parent/guardian attend your meeting with you. Bring your statement filled out with you to the Appeals Meeting. Be prepared to reference your past grades, class performance, study skills, and academic strengths to the committee. Be prepared to explain to the committee why you encountered problems, either academically or behaviorally, previously. Be prepared to have your parent/guardian explain your past problems and support your desire(s). How are you planning to change your actions and behaviors to be successful in an AP program? Why do you believe you can be successful in other AP programs considering your past academic/behavioral problems? 5 Responsibilities ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Student’s Responsibilities: I will dedicate myself to succeeding in my coursework.