The Advanced Placement (AP) Program

Katy ISD offers Advanced Placement courses to high school students who are ready to engage in college level course content and rigorous academics. Courses are available in English, social studies, computer science, mathematics, science, languages other than English, music theory and art.

The AP Program offers college level instruction to the academically successful high school student with the option of taking an Advanced Placement examination and possibly qualifying for college credit. AP students are expected to work at an accelerated pace and to engage in outside reading and independent learning with the support of a College Board authorized instructor.

AP courses are open to all students with the prerequisite coursework who wish to take on the additional challenge of advanced academics. Students who choose to enroll, however, should be prepared for the increased academic rigor of these courses. AP and AP/GT courses concentrate on providing students with rigorous college level academic instruction while preparing students for the AP exam associated with the course.

Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)

Beginning in grade 6, Katy ISD offers Pre-AP courses in language arts, social studies, science and mathematics*.  Additional options are available in languages other than English beginning with level III.

The Pre-AP curricula for these courses are

• built on the core academic curriculum
• academically advanced
• aligned with AP course descriptions generated by College Board
• coordinated with the work of district AP Vertical Teams
• developed with a concentration on building student capacity to understand rigorous content
• designed to meet the needs of gifted learners

Pre-AP instruction includes

• a variety of assessment formats
• periodic timed assessments
• student accountability for independent reading
• the use of a variety of resources beyond the text

*The goal of Pre-AP mathematics in junior high is to prepare students for Algebra 1 in grade 8.

Entry Guidelines

The purpose of the PreAP and AP entry guidelines is to provide information to facilitate placement of students in academically challenging courses.

The following guidelines apply for entry into high school or junior high PreAP or AP courses:

1. Katy ISD recognizes the value of student participation in advanced academic coursework and encourages students to graduate from high school with at least one advanced academic course credit such as Advanced Placement or dual credit. To this end, Katy ISD has an inclusive enrollment model for PreAP and AP courses that provides support systems for student success. Students are encouraged to access the most rigorous curriculum in which they can be successful, generally defined as earning a C or better SEMESTER average.

2. PreAP and AP courses are designed to challenge students beyond grade-level academic courses and prepare them for success in future advanced-level coursework. Information provided by student performance in related courses and teacher input are important elements for parents and students to consider in selecting advanced coursework. Students may require additional encouragement and support to be successful in these courses.

3. Students who opt to participate in PreAP or AP courses must:

a. Successfully complete prerequisite courses as specified in the course catalog;

b. Demonstrate mastery on course-related state-mandated performance assessments including TAKS and/or STAAR;

c. Recognize the long-term benefits of participation, seek assistance when needed, and be committed to staying in the course for a minimum of one semester.  (AP/PreAP Course Collective Commitment)

For more information about AP and Pre-AP, contact the school counselor or refer to the Katy ISD Secondary Course Catalog available at www.katyisd.org.

Exit Guidelines

The following guidelines apply for exit from high school or junior high PreAP or AP courses:

1. It is expected that students seek assistance when needed to be successful in the course and remain in the PreAP or AP courses at least one full semester.

2. Students petitioning to exit a PreAP or AP course must meet the following criteria: conference with the teacher and completion of course assignments and/or attendance at recommended tutorials. The petition for exit may or may not be granted by the campus. Granting the petition is based on input from the teacher, student performance in the course, availability of space in other courses, and the timing of the request. Students experiencing success (able to maintain a C or better SEMESTER average) in the course should remain in the course for the semester. Contact the counselor for more information about documenting these requirements. [See EIF (REGULATION)(EXHIBIT)]

3. Students who earn an “F” at the end of a grading period will be removed from the class unless otherwise recommended by the teacher and administrator.

4. Students who elect to take an AP class for which there is no academic equivalent will be required to remain in the course until the end of the semester unless failing at the end of a grading period (except as noted in 3. above) or a documented extenuating circumstance is approved by the principal.

Making Wise Choices

KISD encourages students to take Pre-AP and AP classes. When making a decision about how many of these classes to take, consider the following:

• Are you a self-motivated, organized, independent worker?
• Do you need and/or have support with your organizational skills and/or studies on a daily basis?
• Are you involved in many activities? Is your interest in this course of study sufficient to ensure that you will find adequate time to complete the extra work required outside of class without having to give up the things you enjoy?
• How well do you handle the rigors of a demanding academic workload? Are you realistic about your performance expectations for yourself?
• Have you considered all academic disciplines for which there are Pre-AP/AP courses including art, languages other than English, computer science and music?

College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/splash 

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