TOMBALL I.S.D.2012-2013

DR. JOAN SLATERMR. CHRIS SCOTT

Accelerated and Pre-AP Program

Advanced Placement Program – Tomball High School

College level course content

Course and instructor approved by College Board

Rigorous academics

Four core areas + music theory and art

Open to all students who are interested in rigorous

coursework

Prepare students for the AP exam associated with

the course

Pre-advanced/Accelerated Placement

Courses offered in all four core areas

Built on core academic curriculum

Academically advanced

Aligned with AP course descriptions generated by

College Board

Pre-advanced Placement/Accelerated Courses

Developed with a concentration on building student

capacity to understand rigorous content

Developed to prepare students for Advanced Placement

classes at the high school level (Gr. 11 & 12).

Developed to prepare students for PSAT and SAT testing

More rigorous academic activities included

Will appropriately challenge students

ELA courses - More mature reading material is included.

Math/Science

Students seeking placement in Accelerated math

or science will be screened using the following

criteria: Stanford 10 Achievement Test for Math and/or Science (4 pt. maximum – administered the week after spring break for grades 6-7 and given the week after

STAAR test for 5th grade.)

M Star Algebra Readiness Screener (3 pt. maximum)

Report Card Grades (2 pt. maximum -cumulative through the 3rd 9-wk period at intermediate

and through the 5th 6-wk. period at junior high school)

Teacher Recommendation (1 pt. maximum)

Math/Science

A student who is interested in enrolling in Accelerated

Science must qualify for Accelerated Math.

A student who wishes to enroll in Accelerated Math is

not required to take Accelerated Science; however,

each student is encouraged to take both courses

especially if the student’s interests are in a STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

field.

ELA/Social Studies

Students seeking placement in Pre-AP English or Social

Studies will be screened using the following criteria:

Stanford 10 Achievement Test for Reading and/or Social

Science (4 pt. maximum – administered the week after spring break for grades 6-7 and given the

week after STAAR test for 5th grade.)

Gates Mac Ginitie Reading Assessment (3 pt. maximum)

Report Card Grades – (2 pt. maximum -cumulative through the 3rd 9-wk period at intermediate and through the 5th 6-wk. period at

junior high school)

Teacher Recommendation (1 pt. maximum)

ELA/Social Studies

A student who is interested in enrolling in Pre-AP

Social Studies must qualify for Pre-AP English.

Students who choose to take Pre-AP English are

not required to take Pre-AP Social Studies.

Students who choose to take Pre-AP Social Studies

must enroll in Pre-AP English.

Minimum Placement Score

Students must earn a minimum of 8 pts. on the screening in order to qualify for accelerated classes.

Gifted and Talented Students

Students already identified as GT in the area for

which advanced course placement is sought are

exempt from Stanford 10 testing if the Stanford 10

scores on file in that area were recorded within the

last two years.

Gifted Education and Pre-AP/Accelerated Classes

Gifted education continues at the 6th grade level

through 12th grade, but the delivery of services

becomes more tied to the content area as the years

go on.

Gifted students are co-seated with Pre-AP students.

The curriculum for Pre-AP is followed in the GT

classes, as well. There is no separate GT

curriculum for Pre-AP.

Gifted Education and Pre-AP/Accelerated Classes

Differentiation for the gifted occurs within the

classes.

Students are provided time to work together as

stated in the state plan for gifted education.

Performance Standards Project (PSP) is a product

of the GT curriculum at the 6th grade level, and it is

embedded in the curriculum.

Choosing the Best Learning Path

The ultimate goal for a student’s education is to

achieve academic success so that lifelong learning

will be desired.

Each student has his/her own profile.

One path is not better than the other; one will just

suit one child better than it will suit another.

Profile of a Successful Pre-AP/Accelerated Student

Reflect on this criteria:

Professes interest in subject selected

Excellent study skills and habits

Carefully considers time commitments

Asks questions and participates in class

Perseveres when faced with challenging material

Pre-AP/Accelerated Student

Asks for assistance when needed

Plans and works ahead on long term projects

Student has a desire to enroll in one or more

advanced classes.

Pre-AP/Accelerated Program 7-10th grade placement

Students previously enrolled in advanced

courses must maintain an overall average of

80 or above to enroll in the next advanced

course.

Choosing the Right Path

Remember, all of these paths can lead to college.

One of these paths will help you learn best and at a

pace that fits your style.

Be true to yourself and choose the one that fits

your best!

Exit Guidelines for Both Programs

Intermediate – Students may exit the program at

semester only.

Junior High/High School – may exit at end of 1st six

weeks or at end of first semester for any reason with

parent notification.

Students with an average of <75 at the end of the

first grading period may be exited from the program.

Parents will be notified of this change in schedule.

Benefits of Pre-AP/ Accelerated Programs

The job market in the United States requires workers to be well-

rounded.

Companies increasingly value intangible qualities that are hard

to put on a resume, like informed intuition, judgment under

pressure, ease with clients, and problem-solving abilities.

American companies tend to be interested in people who seek

additional responsibility, volunteer for tough assignments, and

are willing to take risks.

Technology skills are expected by employers in all

American companies are interested in employees who can “think

out of the box” and who are lifelong learners.

Benefits of Pre-AP/Accelerated Programs

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills describes

the learning skills students need to have for life-

long learning:

Information and communication skills

Thinking and problem-solving skills

Interpersonal and self-directional skills

Making Wise Choices

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 extra work required outside of

class without having to give up things you enjoy?

Making Wise Choices: Questions for Students

How much sleep per night do you require in order

to feel rested and be productive the following day?

How well do you handle the rigors of a demanding

academic workload? Are you realistic about your

performance expectations for yourself?

Choosing the Right Path

Remember that intermediate school is not the end

point.

You may enter Pre-AP and Accelerated classes at

either the junior or senior high level.

Think about your goals and your classroom

performance to date, and then decide which path

to follow.

Questions

Be sure to contact your counselor with any

questions regarding your 6th grade schedule.

NIS – Ms. Wheeler

TIS - Ms. Frank

CFES – Ms. Bush