The final AP (Advanced Placement) Course Audit criteria and guidelines are now available online at AP Central at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/courseaudit.
The College Board has reported that thousands of educators provided detailed feedback on the draft requirements circulated last fall, which resulted in significant changes to the original course criteria. In fact, every single one of the criteria was revised, based on suggestions and recommendations. As a result, these criteria now reflect a powerful national consensus across colleges, universities, and public and private secondary schools, regarding which elements are typically found in college-level curricula.
All high schools and districts need to review the AP Course Audit pages on AP Central. Important changes to the draft requirements include:
· Teachers do not have to submit a sample assignment and exam as supporting materials.
· After the initial AP Course Audit for 2007-2008 AP courses, schools will not need to submit AP Course Audit forms or syllabi annually, unless the teacher has changed, the school offers a new AP course or the curricular and resource requirements for a course undergo significant revision. Each fall, the principal may request renewal of the school’s course authorizations through a form that will be provided.
· Guidelines are now available for preparing AP course syllabi for review.
· Teacher credentials, such as educational background and professional development, will not be collected as part of the AP Course Audit.
· Requirements for a minimum number of instructional minutes for AP Chemistry have been removed.
The College Board AP Program unequivocally supports the principle that each school must develop its own curriculum for courses labeled “AP.” Rather than mandating any one curriculum for AP courses, the AP Course Audit instead provides each AP teacher with a set of expectations that college and secondary school faculty nationwide have established for college-level courses. AP teachers are encouraged to develop or maintain a curriculum that either includes or exceeds each of these expectations; such courses will be authorized to use the “AP” designation.
Detailed instructions for accessing and submitting AP Course Audit materials, via the Web, will be posted on AP Central in July 2006. Instructions will also be mailed to principals before August 1, 2006, and again in September. Schools may submit AP Course Audit materials anytime between August 1, 2006, and June 1, 2007.
It is imperative that all high schools and districts follow the directions for submitting AP Course Audit materials. All Arkansas AP courses will have to be approved by the College Board to be called AP, thereby, meeting the requirements of Act 102 and allowing students to receive weighted credit.
For further information, please contact Ann Biggers at 501-682-4224.