Parent Night & Pre-AP: Helping Your Child Succeed
Parent Night
Pre AP and High School Credit
On-Level vs Pre AP
Pre AP course work in Middle School
•
Open to all students
•
TEKS are the same (except for Math)
•
Student must “buy in” to the idea that
they are going to have to commit to
working harder and longer. They have to
want it. They may need to take
advantage of tutorials or create a study
group in order to master the material.
•
Taking a Pre AP class takes more time
than an on-level class. There is generally
more work that is done outside of class.
•
Consider your child’s whole schedule of
school and outside activities and be
thoughtful about adding more.
•
Kids need time to relax and play in an
unstructured way.
•
Teachers may spend less time on each
concept in class, so students may need to
review and reinforce those concepts at
home, or in tutorials.
•
Talk to your child’s current teacher and
ask what they think. Most of our teachers
teach both Pre AP and on-level classes
and can give you some good information
about your child’s current skill set and
level of motivation.
•
If you are doing well in an on-level class
(85 or higher) you might want to consider
moving to the Pre AP class in the subject
next year.
•
Most students can expect an initial drop in
grades – about 5 points – until they get
used to the Pre AP class.
•
Many students find that after they make
adjustments to their learning habits, their
grades bounce back.
•
Strong scores on the STAAR test can be an
indicator that students are ready for the
challenge of a Pre AP class.
•
The intent of Pre AP is to lead to AP
(Advanced Placement) classes in high
school.
•
The AP test offers students the potential to
earn College Credit while still in high
school.
Departmental Expectations
History
Pre-AP/GT students should be self-motivated and eager
to learn. In social studies, our Pre-AP classes move at a
faster pace. We often “flip” the classroom in order to
learn more deeply about a topic or unit (notes and
information at home – activities and higher-order thinking
at school). Basically we cover the same curriculum, but
we cover it more deeply with more real-world projects
and experiences. More group work in addition to
individual work. These students need to be able to think
and collaborate with their peers to solve higher level
problems and questions.
Departmental Expectations
Science
Basically we teach the same information (TEKS) to both
on-level and Pre-AP but how we give the information to
the kids and the ways we expect them to demonstrate
understanding are different for on-level vs. Pre-AP.
It tends to be a faster pace so we can do more
projects. We expect students to be able to
communicate their knowledge in a variety of ways (write,
oral, project, etc.) We expect them to be able to
complete an essay test – not just multiple choice
questions. We expect them to work on projects both
individually and with a partner. We expect them to think.
Departmental Expectations
Science
The Pre AP student will grasp content and vocabulary
more quickly and with less repetition and practice. They
will progress at a quicker pace through the lessons. They
should be able to use higher order thinking skills and think
critically at a higher intensity and frequency.
Pre AP students will complete more projects and problem
solve with less guidance.
Departmental Expectations
Math
Math 6th gr. PreAp:
Students learn 100% of 6th grade TEKS plus 26% of 7th
grade TEKS. The pace is fast and the curriculum is rigorous.
Math 7th gr PreAp:
74% of 7th grade TEKS plus 67% 8th grade TEKS. The pace is
extremely
fast and the curriculum is rigorous.
Departmental Expectations
Algebra
Algebra is taught at the Pre AP level. If a student takes
Algebra in high school they may take it at the Pre AP level
or on-level.
The algebra student should be well organized, able to
work independently, driven, and intrinsically motivated.
They should be willing to complete nightly homework be
willing to be challenged and ask questions. Students who
are ready for Algebra should be able to work under time
constraint.
Departmental Expectations
Algebra
Before taking Algebra, students should be able to
demonstrate mastery of:
Solving Equations with variables on both sides
Writing Inequalties
Functions
Pythagorean Theorem
Transformations (translastions mostly)
Slope
Scatter plots
Linear Equations
Departmental Expectations
Students who are requesting Algebra should be in a Pre
AP 7
th
grade Math class making a 75 or higher. Students in
Pre AP 7
th
grade Math who are scoring below that will be
asked to test in the Summer to help determine readiness.
Students who are in on-level 7
th
grade Math will take a
placement test in May to help determine readiness fro
Algebra.
Readiness for Algebra has a lot to do with brain
development. Students must be able to think abstractly –
and that can’t be hurried. Some really good math
students simply don’t have the part of their brain, that
allows them to think theoretically, developed to the point
where the abstract concepts in Algebra will make sense.
Beyond Baines
From the RPHS presentation about AP courses.
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 the 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 for college and careers?
Have students like me taken AP?
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?
Questions?????
High School Credit
Classes in Middle
School
High School Credit
Students who choose a high school credit class
while they are still in middle school have begun
high school.
Courses that receive high school credit in middle
school must play by the high school rules.
High School Credit
All high school deadlines for adding and dropping
a course apply.
High School credit and GPA begins with enrollment
in one of these courses.
All students enrolled in a high school credit course
have begun their high school transcript.
Once credit is earned (usually at the semester) the
course “counts” for GPA and credit and will show
on the student’s transcript.
High School GPA
Fort Bend ISD uses a 100 point scale.
•
The 100 point scale results in a more accurate Rank in
Class (RIC)
•
Can be converted to the Four Point Scale which is the
most common scale for college admissions, NCAA
and scholarship applications.
High School GPA
More rigorous classes will receive weighted points
as illustrated in the chart below.
High School GPA
GPA Conversion
High School Credit
Summary of the 100 pt. Scale
Based on adding all the semester averages earned and
dividing by semesters attempted
Most accurate reflection of a student’s cumulative work
Results in a more accurate Rank in Class (RIC)
This includes all courses taken for high school credit in
middle school.
High School Credit
High School credit courses offered at Baines:
Algebra
1 credit
Pre AP
Spanish 1 AD
1 credit
On-Level
Spanish 1A & 1 B
1 credit
On-Level
Spanish for Spanish Speakers
2 credits
On-Level
Principles of Construction
1 credit
On-Level
Gateway to Technology
1 credit
On-Level
Principles of Human Services
1 credit
On-Level
Questions?????
The benefits of Pre-AP courses and how to support your child's academic journey. Understand the commitment required, time management, and transitioning from on-level classes. Learn about teacher insights, adjusting study habits, and readiness indicators like STAAR scores.
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Presentation Transcript
Parent Night Pre AP and High School Credit
Pre AP course work in Middle School Open to all students TEKS are the same (except for Math)
Student must buy in to the idea that they are going to have to commit to working harder and longer. They have to want it. They may need to take advantage of tutorials or create a study group in order to master the material.
Taking a Pre AP class takes more time than an on-level class. There is generally more work that is done outside of class. Consider your child s whole schedule of school and outside activities and be thoughtful about adding more. Kids need time to relax and play in an unstructured way.
Teachers may spend less time on each concept in class, so students may need to review and reinforce those concepts at home, or in tutorials.
Talk to your childs current teacher and ask what they think. Most of our teachers teach both Pre AP and on-level classes and can give you some good information about your child s current skill set and level of motivation.
If you are doing well in an on-level class (85 or higher) you might want to consider moving to the Pre AP class in the subject next year. Most students can expect an initial drop in grades about 5 points until they get used to the Pre AP class. Many students find that after they make adjustments to their learning habits, their grades bounce back.
Strong scores on the STAAR test can be an indicator that students are ready for the challenge of a Pre AP class.
The intent of Pre AP is to lead to AP (Advanced Placement) classes in high school. The AP test offers students the potential to earn College Credit while still in high school.
Departmental Expectations History Pre-AP/GT students should be self-motivated and eager to learn. In social studies, our Pre-AP classes move at a faster pace. We often flip the classroom in order to learn more deeply about a topic or unit (notes and information at home activities and higher-order thinking at school). Basically we cover the same curriculum, but we cover it more deeply with more real-world projects and experiences. More group work in addition to individual work. These students need to be able to think and collaborate with their peers to solve higher level problems and questions.
Departmental Expectations Science Basically we teach the same information (TEKS) to both on-level and Pre-AP but how we give the information to the kids and the ways we expect them to demonstrate understanding are different for on-level vs. Pre-AP. It tends to be a faster pace so we can do more projects. We expect students to be able to communicate their knowledge in a variety of ways (write, oral, project, etc.) We expect them to be able to complete an essay test not just multiple choice questions. We expect them to work on projects both individually and with a partner. We expect them to think.
Departmental Expectations Science The Pre AP student will grasp content and vocabulary more quickly and with less repetition and practice. They will progress at a quicker pace through the lessons. They should be able to use higher order thinking skills and think critically at a higher intensity and frequency. Pre AP students will complete more projects and problem solve with less guidance.
Departmental Expectations Math Math 6th gr. PreAp: Students learn 100% of 6th grade TEKS plus 26% of 7th grade TEKS. The pace is fast and the curriculum is rigorous. Math 7th gr PreAp: 74% of 7th grade TEKS plus 67% 8th grade TEKS. The pace is extremely fast and the curriculum is rigorous.
Departmental Expectations Algebra Algebra is taught at the Pre AP level. If a student takes Algebra in high school they may take it at the Pre AP level or on-level. The algebra student should be well organized, able to work independently, driven, and intrinsically motivated. They should be willing to complete nightly homework be willing to be challenged and ask questions. Students who are ready for Algebra should be able to work under time constraint.
Departmental Expectations Algebra Before taking Algebra, students should be able to demonstrate mastery of: Solving Equations with variables on both sides Writing Inequalties Functions Pythagorean Theorem Transformations (translastions mostly) Slope Scatter plots Linear Equations
Departmental Expectations Students who are requesting Algebra should be in a Pre AP 7th grade Math class making a 75 or higher. Students in Pre AP 7th grade Math who are scoring below that will be asked to test in the Summer to help determine readiness. Students who are in on-level 7th grade Math will take a placement test in May to help determine readiness fro Algebra. Readiness for Algebra has a lot to do with brain development. Students must be able to think abstractly and that can t be hurried. Some really good math students simply don t have the part of their brain, that allows them to think theoretically, developed to the point where the abstract concepts in Algebra will make sense.
Beyond Baines From the RPHS presentation about AP courses. 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 the 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 for college and careers? Have students like me taken AP? 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?
High School Credit Classes in Middle School
High School Credit Students who choose a high school credit class while they are still in middle school have begun high school. Courses that receive high school credit in middle school must play by the high school rules.
High School Credit All high school deadlines for adding and dropping a course apply. High School credit and GPA begins with enrollment in one of these courses. All students enrolled in a high school credit course have begun their high school transcript. Once credit is earned (usually at the semester) the course counts for GPA and credit and will show on the student s transcript.
High School GPA Fort Bend ISD uses a 100 point scale. The 100 point scale results in a more accurate Rank in Class (RIC) Can be converted to the Four Point Scale which is the most common scale for college admissions, NCAA and scholarship applications.
High School GPA More rigorous classes will receive weighted points as illustrated in the chart below. Advanced Placement (AP) courses Pre-AP, high school Honors courses, Dual Credit courses Receives 5 point weight On- level courses/non- weighted courses No weight Receives 10 point weight
High School GPA GPA Conversion AP PreAP/H/DC Regular 90-100+ 5 4.5 4 80-89 4 3.5 3 75-79 3 2.5 2 70-74 2 1.5 1 Below 70 0 0 0
High School Credit Summary of the 100 pt. Scale Based on adding all the semester averages earned and dividing by semesters attempted Most accurate reflection of a student s cumulative work Results in a more accurate Rank in Class (RIC) This includes all courses taken for high school credit in middle school.
High School Credit High School credit courses offered at Baines: Algebra Spanish 1 AD Spanish 1A & 1 B Spanish for Spanish Speakers Principles of Construction 1 credit Gateway to Technology Principles of Human Services 1 credit 1 credit 1 credit 2 credits Pre AP On-Level On-Level On-Level On-Level On-Level On-Level 1 credit 1 credit
