Programming Options ExCEL-GT 9th-12th Grade GT

Mark Bivens, Principal // Justin Edwards, Asst. Principal

Cheryl Nesler, Asst. Principal // Rachel Wisdom, Paige Pruitt, Tiffany Crafton - Counselors

Sandy Roe, ExCEL-Gifted and Talented & Advanced Placement Director

Though ExCEL-GT identified students do not have the "send-out" option in 9th through 12th grades, they are still served 150 minutes per week through the choices of Honors, AP, and/or concurrent college coursework.  ExCEL-GT identified students are highly encouraged to enroll in Honors, AP, and/or college concurrent courses. Students of high ability, who are in Honors, AP, and/or concurrent courses, are focused on higher levels of thinking and complexity.  Honors courses are preparation for AP courses.  Students who take AP courses at Beebe High School are required to take the AP exam(s) in May of each year.  After taking the AP exam(s), should students make a qualifying score (3, 4, or 5) they can possibly be given college credit as they enter colleges and universities.  This can allow a student to move into courses in their major field in addition to helping them save money for coursework already completed through AP.  

9-12th grade identified ExCEL-GT students are strongly encouraged to take Honors and AP courses. Students who choose to not take Honors/AP courses should maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA for GT identification to remain in place.  Students taking Honors and AP courses should maintain no lower than a C in Honors classes and no lower than a cumulative 3.0 GPA.   Should ExCEL- GT students fall below the GPA criteria, contact will be made with the student's parent/guardian to discuss the best educational placement for their student. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

PREPARING EVERY STUDENT FOR COLLEGE 

Starting with Honors Courses

Honors courses are based on the following two important premises - 

The first is the expectation that students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This expectation is reflected in the curriculum and instruction throughout Honors courses so that students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level which is AP courses.

The second important premise of Honors courses is the belief that we can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. Addressed effectively, the Jr. High and High School years can provide a powerful opportunity to help all students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning.

Through College Board®, High Schools can offer students the ability to take AP courses in multiple subject areas. Each course is developed by a committee composed of higher education faculty and expert AP teachers who ensure that the course reflects college- and university-level expectations. These committees define the scope and goals of the AP course, articulating what students should know and be able to do upon completing it. The committees' work is informed by data collected from a range of colleges and universities to ensure that AP courses and exams reflect current scholarship and advances in the discipline. The committee then works with ETS (Educational Testing Service) to develop multiple-choice and free-response exam questions. Committee members also write and review the course description for each subject.

AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP Course Descriptions to guide them. The course descriptions outline the course content, describe the curricular goals of the subject, and provide sample exam questions. While the course descriptions are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP Exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how this content is presented.

AP Exams

Each AP course (each course lasts an entire school year) culminates with a nationally coordinated exam. 

-AP exams for each course are prepared by the College Board Exam Development Committee.

-Most AP exams consist of a multiple-choice section and free-response section.

-Foreign language exams also include listening and speaking portions.

-Studio Art exams are based on a portfolio.

-Exams are typically three hours in length.

-Exams fees are set by the College Board.  

The state of Arkansas currently pays the exam fee for students who are present on the day of the AP exam.  However, if a student drops an AP course or courses or fails to take the AP exam, they will have to pay a $40 fee to Beebe High School that will in turn be sent to College Board.

-Exams are given in May on a prescribed national schedule. 

Honors and AP (Advanced Placement Courses

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a collaborative effort among motivated students, dedicated teachers, high schools, colleges, and universities.  Since its beginning, this program has allowed millions of high school students to take college-level courses and exams to earn college credit while still in high school. The AP program is a two-part program:  the course and the AP exam.  Students who are enrolled in an AP course are expected to take the AP exam.

Who should be in an AP course?

--All college-bound students.

--Students who want a challenging academic program.

Academic Benefits 

--Learning subject matter in greater depth.

--Development of academic reasoning skills.

--The formation of disciplined study habits.

--Gain confidence by meeting the challenge of college-level courses.

--Gain experience of college-level work within the support of the high school environment.

What are the college benefits of AP?

College admission counselors for AP credit on high school transcripts.  AP credit improves a student's

acceptance rate.  Most colleges and universities award credit for successful completion of an AP exam.  Students "may"

be granted up to a full year's credit by a college/university upon completion of a number of AP exams.  Each college/

university sets a policy for AP exam credit.

What are AP Exams?

AP classes include term and year-long courses of study which culminate with a nationally coordinated exam.

--AP exams for each course are prepared by the College Board Exam Development Committee.

--Most AP exams consist of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section.

--Studio Art exams are based on a portfolio.

--Exams are typically three hours in length.

--Exam fees are set by the College Board.  The state of Arkansas currently pays the exam fee for students who are present on the date and time of the exam.     --Exams are given in May on a prescribed national schedule. 

PLEASE NOTE:  If a student drops an AP course or courses after they have been ordered at the first of November, they will be liable for a $40 College Board fee.  This fee is sent to College Board at the end of the school year when Beebe High School receives the bill from College Board.  

How are exams graded and scores reported?

Each AP exam grade is a weighted combination of the student's score on the multiple-choice section and on the free-response section.

The final grade is reported on a 5-point scale:

  5=extremely well qualified

  4=well qualified

  3=qualified

        2=possibly qualified

  1=no recommendation

Exam scores are sent in July to the college/university designated on the student's answer sheet, to the student's secondary school, and to the student.

How are AP grades reported on a transcript? (Students must complete the year-long AP course and take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade on their transcript.)

Because of the rigor of AP courses, all AP courses carry weighted grades.

A=5 B=4 C=3 D=2 F=0

Students who participate in the AP Program, have the potential to be honored by the College Board in the following manner:

AP Scholar--Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams on full-year courses.

AP Scholar with Honor--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams on full-year courses.

AP Scholar with Distinction--Granted to students who receive an average grade point of 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams on full-year courses.

AP National Scholar--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on 8 or more exams on full year-year courses. 

COLLEGE READINESS INFORMATION

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