Slide1: Presented by: Mark Cruthers email: rousseau1789@yahoo.com Web: homeschool-teachers.com in Association with: authorGEN - WiZiQ http://www.wiziq.com/tour/what_is_wiziq.aspx http://www.authorgen.com/authorpoint/index.htm http://www.authorstream.com/ EIE Academy Martin and Carolyn Forte Phone: 626-821-0025 www.eieacademy.com


Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced Placement (AP) The New Home School Frontier


College Credit and Validation: College Credit and Validation The new frontier that home schoolers must enter is that of taking Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Outside of the ACT and SAT, the AP Exam is one of the only standards that is accepted by post secondary institutions as an indicator of academic success and graduation. According to the College Board website: (http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/prof/advance-placement-qa.pdf) ninety percent of colleges and universities in the United States, as well as institutions in 38 other countries, have an AP granting policy in regards to admissions, college credit and scholarship consideration.


Save money: Save money If you earn a qualifying grade on an AP Exam, you can receive credit for the equivalent course at thousands of colleges and universities: “I took AP throughout high school because it was the most interesting and well-taught program offered. When I reached college, I realized that I had accumulated a year’s worth of credits. I graduated from Michigan’s undergraduate business school a full year early, saving $30,000 and a year’s time.” —Nikki Baker, University of Michigan


AP and College Success™: AP and College Success™ 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. Source: Camara, Wayne (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.


On another note concerning graduation: On another note concerning graduation Statistically across the nation four year universities have approximately a 50% drop out rate. This means that one in two students will not graduate at all. Statistics show that students who have successfully passed two AP exams have a greater than 80% potential of graduation (regardless of the time frame, even if it’s beyond four years).


Compete with the nation’s top students: Compete with the nation’s top students Nationally, only 15% of the student population takes an AP course with New York and a couple of other states as high as 20%. Of these top public school students only 20% achieve a 4 or 5 (AP exam scores), and only 60% pass with a 3 or better. Home School students will compete with these top public school students by taking and successfully passing AP exams.


Many colleges “compete” for the nation’s top students: Many colleges “compete” for the nation’s top students Education is a market place It rewards those who compete With Higher level instruction Scholarship help Opportunity Like-minded students who practice excellence


Distinction: Distinction While Community College plays a role in the home schooler’s pursuit of college course work, it alone is not the best option. Community College does not distinguish the home schooler from college bound students who will matriculate to their local community college in droves. AP allows the home school student to gain national recognition and compete for the best universities in the country with the rest of the nation's top students. Effectually, only 12% of the nation's high school population will pass one AP exam with a 3 or better; by your student passing just one AP exam they join this elite group of academically prepared students in the country. The higher the score and the number of AP exams taken will continue to elevate the student into the higher echelons of the country's best students. Some of our students have achieved the status of ‘AP Scholar with Honor’ and more are on their way to achieving this very important level of achievement.


What is the best way to score well?: What is the best way to score well? While it is true that a student can take the AP Exam without any formal training or classroom preparation, it is to the student’s advantage to take an AP course in the area in which he or she will be tested. The true design of the AP program is for the student to take the AP course, which replicates the rigor of a first year university course. Upon completion of that course, he or she will take the exam. Utilizing this option most effectively prepares the student for college level courses. For public school students this is not too much of a problem since 68% of all high schools in the country offer some AP courses. For the home school student it is a bit more problematic since AP is not readily available. Up to now the primary source of study for a home school student was either self-study or participation in an online course similar to what the University of Pennsylvania offers. While these are viable options they are not the most strategic.


Take the Challenge: Take the Challenge This is the time for the home school community to take the challenge and provide a more equal playing field for their students. Excellence In Education (EIE) in Monrovia, California has proven that effective AP courses can be taught at the home school level. Four years ago EIE partnered with Mark Cruthers and developed a very successful AP program. To date we have offered AP courses in: European History, U.S. History, Government, and Psychology. Our pass rate is excellent at 100%, with 80% testing at a 4 or 5 (out of a possible 5) and the remainder passing with a score of 3. This success level is exceptional, especially when you consider that nationally, only 15% of the student population takes an AP course.


Home Schoolers across the country have already proven . . .: Home Schoolers across the country have already proven . . . They can do Advanced Placement course work given enough support !


Why the Nation’s Top Students Take Advanced Placement Courses ? : Why the Nation’s Top Students Take Advanced Placement Courses ? And further reasons why home schoolers should as well !


Benefits of the AP® Program – The Effect on Students: Benefits of the AP® Program – The Effect on Students Better prepared academically. More likely to choose challenging majors. Likely to complete more college-level work. Likely to perform significantly better than students who did not take AP courses. More likely to exercise leadership. More likely to graduate with a double major. Twice as likely to go into advanced study. Willingham & Morris, 1986; UT Study 1988 Students who complete AP courses are:


Responsibilities of AP® Students: Responsibilities of AP® Students A willingness to actively engage with sophisticated concepts A willingness to be judged by rigorous, college-level standards A willingness to complete longer and more complex nightly assignments A willingness to complete the AP Examination in May


Slide16: Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses give you a head start on college. Taking the end-of-course AP Exam sends a powerful message to colleges and universities that a student is ready for them, and can enable students to gain admission, college credit, and placement into advanced courses.


AP® Examinations: AP® Examinations Administered in May Approximately three hours long Composed of multiple-choice and free-response questions Free-response questions graded by college professors and AP teachers in June AP Examination grades range from 1 to 5


AP® ExaminationsInterpretation of Grades: AP® Examinations Interpretation of Grades 5 — Extremely Well Qualified 4 — Well Qualified 3 — Qualified 2 — Possibly Qualified 1 — No Recommendation


Did you know . . .: Did you know . . . If you earn a high school diploma, you’re likely to earn $7,000 more annually than students who don’t complete high school. But if you earn a bachelor’s degree in college, you’re likely to earn $22,000 more annually. Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2000


Prepare Now to Succeed in College: Prepare Now to Succeed in College A 1999 U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college: Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school—and AP courses in particular. Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.


Who designs the AP courses and exams?: Who designs the AP courses and exams? AP committee members currently teach at dozens of the nation’s top colleges and universities, including: Dartmouth College • UCLA Hamilton College • University of Texas at Austin Michigan State University • University of Virginia Princeton University • Yale University Spelman College


Why should a student takethe AP Exam?: Why should a student take the AP Exam? Colleges and universities give credit for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP course grades. “The confirmation that college-level learning took place is in the published results. The AP Exam grade is a national standard that I can understand and rely upon.” —Joellen L. Silberman, Dean of Enrollment Kalamazoo College


Increase your options: Increase your options College credit can allow you to move into upper-level college courses sooner, pursue a double major, and gain time to study and travel abroad: “As a freshman, I was able to skip general ed requirements and head straight into the higher-level classes I wanted to take. Taking AP Exams literally saved me semesters of time.” —Brent Wiese, University of Iowa


According to an AP Student…: According to an AP Student… Students who participate in AP are ultimately given the responsibility to reason, analyze, and understand for themselves. Such intellectual training inevitably helps them succeed in college, where these skills are essential. “AP has given me skills I need to succeed in college.” Dana Batista AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Spanish The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas


Why should I take the AP Exam even if I’m not looking to earn credit or placement?: Why should I take the AP Exam even if I’m not looking to earn credit or placement? Stand out in the admissions process Earn academic scholarships and awards Experience a college-level test Be a step ahead


Stand out in the admissions process: Stand out in the admissions process “One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.” —William R. Fitzsimmons Dean of Admissions, Harvard University “AP Exams affirm the rigor of a student’s course work. Though admissions policies vary, if I were a student, I wouldn’t assume that the college of my dreams didn’t care about AP Exams in the admissions process.” —Bruce Walker, Director of Admissions University of Texas at Austin


Factors Influencing Admission Decisions–2001: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2001 Factors Influencing Admission Decisions–2001


Earn academic scholarshipsor awards: Earn academic scholarships or awards Some of the most competitive scholarship awards value AP Exam grades: “Having the AP Exam grade can make the difference when it comes down to awarding precious scholarship dollars.” —Edwina Harris Hamby, Dean of Admission Fisk University


Experience a college-level test: Experience a college-level test The intensity of college exams catches far too many freshmen by surprise: “Students who have prepared for and taken the AP Exams adapt more easily to taking college essay exams, and are especially skilled in including a thesis and a well-developed argument. They are also less intimidated by sophisticated, college-level multiple-choice questions that seek to test understanding over memorization.” —Robert Blackey, Professor of History CSU, San Bernardino


AP Equity Policy Statement:: AP Equity Policy Statement: “The College Board and the Advanced Placement Program encourage teachers, AP Coordinators, and school administrators to make equitable access a guiding principle for their AP programs. The College Board is committed to the principle that all students deserve an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging courses and programs.” (continued)


AP Equity Policy Statement:: AP Equity Policy Statement: “All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be considered for admission to AP courses. The Board encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the AP Program. Schools should make every effort to ensure that their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population.”


AP courses offered by EIE:: AP courses offered by EIE: European History (alternate) US History (alternate) American Government and Politics (self study upon successful completing of an AP History class) English Literature (possible alternate) Psychology (possible alternate)


AP Credit and PlacementPolicy Information: AP Credit and Placement Policy Information Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced Placement Exam scores. Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is now available on the College Board’s Web site: www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy


Equal footing with the Best: Equal footing with the Best While passing the AP does not guarantee success in being accepted by post secondary institutions, our students will definitely be on equal footing with any other student applying. Again it is important to remember that nationally only 15% of the top students elect to take the AP Exam, by taking the exam you place your student in this elite category.


Slide35: Presented by: Mark Cruthers email: rousseau1789@yahoo.com Web: homeschool-teachers.com in Association with: WiZiQ http://www.wiziq.com/tour/what_is_wiziq.aspx http://www.authorgen.com/authorpoint/index.htm http://www.authorstream.com/ EIE Academy Martin and Carolyn Forte Phone: 626-821-0025 www.eieacademy.com