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RISD secondary schools offer students the opportunity to participate in College Board Pre-AP/AP courses and exams. The Pre-AP/AP Program challenges students on a more disciplined, structured, higher academic level, while introducing them to and preparing them for a college education. To help parents better understand the Pre-AP/AP Program and how it can help their student, the RISD has compiled Questions and Answers for Parents on Pre-AP/AP Courses and Exams. Information in the answers is derived from Texas Education Agency and district guidelines.

What is the Pre-AP/AP Program?
Can my student enroll in this Pre-AP/AP Program?
What course commitment must be made?
What background does my student need to succeed in the Pre-AP/Ap Program?
What are the advantages of my student taking the Pre-AP/AP course?
What is the Texas Distinguished Achievement Program Seal?
Why should I encourage my student to take a Pre-AP/AP class?
How can I assist my student with doing well in the Pre-AP/AP Program?
What Pre-AP/AP courses/exams do high schools offer?
How much does it cost for my student to take a Pre-AP/AP courses? AP Exams?
Does my student have to take a AP course in order to take an AP exam?
Will my student receive college credit?
Are there other ways to earn college credit besides AP exams?

Click here to download a MP3 of a Podcast produced by Lake Highlands High School students about the Pre-AP/AP program.

What is the Pre-AP/AP Program?

The Pre-AP/AP (Advanced Placement) Program, administer by the College Board of New York, allows students to participate in college preparation courses leading to college level courses and possibly earn college credits while still in high school. Secondary schools and colleges cooperate in this nationally-recognized program to give students the opportunity to ultimately show mastery in college-level courses by taking the AP exam in May of each school year.

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Can my student enroll in this Pre-AP/AP Program?

Any student may enroll in a Pre-AP/AP course, but the following indicators of success should strongly be considered when deciding to participate in Pre-AP/AP:

• reading comprehension and math scores at grade level or higher
  
  
• teacher feedback regarding your student's ability, work habits, listening skills, personal goals, writing and general language ability, acceptance of responsibility, maturity, attendance, interpersonal skills, character, grades and commitment to perform consistently at the higher level and to do demanding work



• past academic performance

Students in grades 11 and 12 should have:

• passed the TAAS writing, reading and math subtests, and
  
  
• have PSAT/SAT scores at 1000 or higher

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What course commitment must be made?

A document outlining the course description, expectations and course content outline for each Pre-AP/AP course will be made available to students and parents during the first fifteen days of each semester. A district-approved commitment contract must be signed by Pre-AP/AP students and their parents which require that:

• entering and exiting the program be allowed only during the first fifteen days of the semester
  
  
• parent-teacher counselor communication will be required prior to withdrawal and documented in the student's cumulative folder

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What background does my student need in order to succeed in the Pre-AP/AP Program?

Students should have had practice in analyzing content, drawing comparisons, and reasoning through problems. They must be able to read perceptively and independently. Additionally, students will need to be proficient in writing clear, concise essays. Students who are not skilled in these areas must be even more highly motivated to make up deficiencies at the same time they are taking more rigorous courses. The earlier students prepare for Pre-AP/AP courses by taking the most rigorous classes available, the more likely will be their success. The keys to success are motivation, self-discipline,and academic preparation.

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What are the advantages of my student taking a Pre-AP/AP Program?

The main advantage of taking a Pre-AP/AP course is better preparation for college. It has been shown that students master in-depth content at the college level more easily after completing Pre-AP/AP courses in school. Students also acquire sophisticated academic skills and increased self-confidence in preparation for college.

Students who take AP exams may receive college credit while still in high school, saving both time and money. Credit on AP exams can save up to $1,500 or more in college tuition alone and/or count as credit for one or more courses. Some parents have saved what would be the equivalent of a full year of college and total living expenses for their student. However, check with the college your student is interested in to see if they accept AP exams for credit.

Additionally, scoring well on an AP exam can fulfill the requirements of the Texas Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). This award requires high performance beyond that expected of the RISD Plan I course requirements in high school. Those who meet the requirements are awarded a special seal on their high school Academic Achievement Record (transcript).

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Texas Distinguished Achievement Program Seal

The Distinguished Achievement Program Seal is based on students completing the 24 credit Plan I high school program. Within those credits, students must complete advanced measures at the college or professional level that are assessed by outside evaluators. In order to achieve this distinguished recognition, students must complete any combination of four of the advanced measures as follows:

• Earn a score of 3 or above on a College Board exam (each exam can count as one measure)
  
  
• Earn a score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher; as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program; or as part of the National Outstanding African American Students Program (may count as only one advanced measure)
  
  
• Earn a grade of 80 (3.0) or higher on courses that count for college credit, including tech-prep programs
  
  
• Complete original research or project judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project or conducted under the direction of mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience, and related to the required curriculum set forth in Section 74.1 of this title (relating to TEKS). Original research/projects may not be counted as more than two measures.
  

* No substitutions are allowed in the Distinguished Achievement Program Seal

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Why should I encourage my student to take a Pre-AP/AP class? Won't it hurt my child's GPA?

Students who succeed in Pre-AP/AP courses generally do well in college as a result of rigorous academic preparations. At the end of the semester, RISD students earn five quality points in Pre-AP/AP courses for passing grades and eight quality points in AP courses for passing grades. In this way, a student's GPA is not adversely affected by taking accelerated Pre-AP/AP courses. Colleges look favorably on students who master these courses. Finally, senior graduation academic honors/scholarships requiring top class GPA/ranks are earned most often by students who have completed these courses.

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How can I assist my student with doing well in the Pre-AP/AP Program?

Preparation for the Pre-AP/AP courses should begin early. You can encourage your student's academic pursuits, help him or her schedule time wisely, encourage and require strong study skills, set up a good study atmosphere, and participate in college and Pre-AP/AP planning with the school counselor, principal, and/or teacher. Your support is important.

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What Pre-AP/AP courses/exams do high schools offer?

Nationally, high schools are not required to offer Pre-AP/AP courses. However, RISD high schools offer 31 AP courses district-wide in 16 disciplines coordinated and administered by the College Board. Additionally, district Pre-AP/AP courses are currently offered in language, arts, social studies, math, and science. See your counselor or teacher for additional information regarding campus course offerings.

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How much does it cost for my student to take a Pre-AP/AP course? AP Exams?

There are no charges for the courses. The AP exams are approximately $76 each. Financial assistance from the College Board for students in need can reduce the cost. The AP coordinator at your high school and your counselor have exam and financial assistance information.

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Does my student have to take an AP course in order to take an AP exam?

No, However, research indicates that students who take AP courses score higher on AP exams than those students who do not take the courses.

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Will my student receive college credit?

The AP exams are given every year in May. Scores are reported to the colleges designated by the student and range from one (no recommendation) to five (extremely qualified). Each college determines the scores to be accepted for credit, but most consider a score of at least three. Colleges may waive courses or may award three, and sometime six, hours of credit per test. Students should contact individual colleges to find out about the policy of each.

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Are there other ways to earn college credits besides AP exams?

Yes, some options are:

• Dual credit courses (both high school and college credit) offered through Richland College are available in RISD. See your counselor for additional information.
  
  
• CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams are accepted by many colleges and universities. These exams should be taken as soon as the student has completed the highest level course in the tested area. Check with your counselor and individual colleges for more information and testing procedures.

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SB 282 Notification of College Credit Opportunities - opportunity to earn 12 hours of college credit, SB 282 requires that we notify parents about the availability. AP and dual credit offerings satisfy that even though the former doesn't guarantee college credit.