What is pre-AP/AP?

The teachers of these courses follow the AISD curriculum and enhance the curriculum by using AP strategies as instructed by the College Board. These classes prepare the students for the AP tests taken their junior and senior years. These are college prep courses.

What are the biggest fears?

Will the AP courses lower my child's GPA? They can actually enhance the GPA because the students earn extra grade points. Students have a difficult time in high school. These courses help the students develop study skills and learn to manage time. Parents should have realistic expectations. Due to the higher level of course work, students' grades may not be as consistently high as in past courses but will reflect a higher level of study. Allow the student to enjoy extra curricular opportunities. Continue to monitor your child's performance. Talk to the teacher. Encourage your child.

Why do it?

Students learn to think at a higher level. These courses teach the students to analyze and use critical thinking skills. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, these classes utilize the top three levels of thinking. Students can earn college credit. Students have the opportunity to place out of college courses and can earn enough credit to enter college as a sophomore. 65% of Martin students taking the AP exams pass. Some subjects at Martin have as much as a 95% success rate. The cost of an AP exam is $38; much less than a college course. Students have the opportunity for higher GPAs. With the extra grade points in an advanced class, students can raise their GPA and their rank in class. It is difficult to be in the top 10% of their class at Martin without having taken some advanced courses. Colleges take note of students whose transcripts denote advanced courses. Top ranking post seconday schools look for AP course work on the transcripts. Colleges admission counselors look for more rigorous course work on a transcript rather than high grades in regular courses. Students are better prepared for all standardized tests. The SAT, the ACT, and AP exams are all prepared by the College Board. The pre-AP teachers and the AP teachers at Martin attend workshops presented by the College Board to help implement teaching strategies. TAKS is now in line with these teaching strategies.

Necessary Pre-AP study skills:

The ability to focus and concentrate on a task for an extended period of time Students need to be able to work under time constraints. This helps to prepare for timed tests. The ability to overcome frustration in learning new concepts If your child seems frustrated by the program initially, we suggest that you allow six weeks for the child to adapt to the program. Also, we encourage the parent to communicate with the teacher. All of the teachers have e-mail; many have websites. The ability to manage time and concurrent assignments The ability to self motivate and initiate independent study The desire to be in the class (This is perhaps the most important.) Good attendance is essential for success in an AP program

What AP courses are offered at Martin?

Computer Science AP Computer Science I AP Computer Science II AP Computer Science III English Pre AP English I Pre AP English II AP English III AP English IV Fine Arts AP Music Theory AP Art Foreign Language Pre AP Latin III AP Latin IV Pre AP French III AP French IV Pre AP Spanish III AP Spanish IV Pre AP German III AP German IV Math Pre AP Geometry Pre AP Algebra II Pre AP Pre Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics Science Pre AP Chemistry I AP Chemistry II Pre AP Biology I AP Biology II Pre AP Physics I AP Physics II Social Studies Pre AP World Geography AP World History AP Human Geography AP US History AP European History AP American Government AP Macro Economics AP Psychology

These courses receive additional grade points.

Grade Point System Numerical     Regular GP     Pre AP/AP GP   97-100 12 15 93-96 11 14 90-92 10 13 87-89 9 12 83-86 8 11 80-82 7 10 77-79 6 9 73-76 5 8 70-72 4 7 Below 70 0 0

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