Embedded Files
AP Biology Course Agreement
2025-2026
Course Description:
This course is an Advancement Placement course, equivalent to a college-level course. Students are strongly encouraged and expected to take the AP exam in May. The student will use case studies, laboratory investigations and inquiry activities to understand the 4 Big Ideas:
The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain homeostasis.
Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes
Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties.
Classroom Behavior:
Students are expected to be respectful and on their best behavior. Unsafe behavior will result in removal from the classroom. Disruptive behavior and inappropriate language will be dealt with in conjunction with an administrator and a parent/guardian. Students are expected to be working on AP Biology and not other course work. If a student is working on assignments for another class at an inappropriate time, the work may be confiscated and may or may not be returned. You should treat all lab equipment and other classroom supplies with respect.
Bathroom Pass:
Students will be allowed to use the pass at appropriate times for no more than 7 minutes. Students must ask permission. The first and last 10 minutes of class, direct instruction, or when students are presenting is off limits. Students who are out of class longer than 7 minutes will be reported to their administrator for disciplinary action. Devices and backpacks will remain in the room while the pass is in use. Only one student may use the pass at a time.
Electronics: Students are expected to bring their chromebook to class each day, fully charged and ready for use. Cell phones must be kept off or on vibrate and stored away during class unless specific permission is given. Smart watches cannot be used for messaging during class. If you need to use your phone for any reason-including texting or making a call-you must ask for permission first. Earbuds/headphones are not allowed during lectures or class activities, even if no audio is playing.
Inappropriate use of technology, including smart watches, will be documented in Aeries and communicated to parents/guardians. On a third incidence, administrative action will be taken. Permission must also be requested before recording audio, taking photos, or capturing video.
Tardies:
Any student without a pass, not in their assigned seat when the bell rings, and logged into the “Daily Catalyst” is considered late. Once we are in work mode and I am able to get to my computer without interrupting the flow of the lesson, check in with me and make sure I’ve changed the absence to a tardy. You can turn in any work that was due at the start of class if you have it for full credit at the same time. It is your responsibility to check in and make sure the attendance has been corrected. If you forget and the absence results in a phone call home, send me an email apologizing for not checking in and ask me to please fix Aeries for you.
Late Work:
Missing work submitted before the unit exam can receive a maximum score of 3. Missing work must be made up before a test retake and could receive a maximum score of a 2. After the day of the retake, no late work will be accepted and students will receive a 0.
This does not apply to work done in class which is due at the end of the period. Those assignments must be done to the best of your ability and turned in before you leave the room, finished or not. Failure to turn in the assignment will result in a maximum score of a 2 (C) when you do turn it in even if it is turned in on the same day.
Tests:
If you miss a test you will be expected to take the exam the day you return. Any missing work must also be turned in. Students who are gone the day of a test, regardless of the reason, will take an alternative assessment which may be entirely FRQ.
Redo/Retakes:
If a student does not meet one of the science practices assessed, students may try again to show proficiency. Any student scoring a 0-2 is encouraged and expected to attend trojan time for additional support/practice and make a second attempt to show proficient understanding of the science practice. Students can earn a maximum score of 3.
There is only 1 retake per quarter for all science practices. The retake will be a different set of questions from relevant units. In order to qualify for a retake, you must complete:
All unit notes and personal progress checks.
Test autopsy.
Fill out the retake request form that will be posted on google classroom.
The reteach assignment for each SP (and in some cases attend a Trojan Time reteach session)
Failure to complete all parts of the retake process on time, will mean you cannot retake. There are no makeups for retakes.
There is no retake on the semester final exam.
Cheating:
Students caught cheating on an assessment will receive a 0 for all parts of that assessment attempt. No retake will be allowed. A note will be made in Aeries and a discipline referral will be submitted so that the infraction goes on their permanent record. All standards are assessed in multiple units so students will have multiple attempts to show they have proficiency in the standard but they will need to do so without the benefit of the feedback they would have received on the assessment they cheated on.
I know the pressure to do well is high but please do not compromise your integrity. Cheating is the act of gaining an unfair advantage, or misrepresenting one’s knowledge. It includes, but is not limited to, wrongfully using or taking the ideas or work of another.
For example:
Giving or receiving unauthorized aid from another person on assignments, papers, quizzes, tests, or examinations.
Plagiarizing or using any sort of artificial intelligence such as chatGPT.
Getting advance information about quizzes, tests, or examinations.
Using or consulting unauthorized materials or using unauthorized electronic devices on papers, quizzes, tests or examinations.
Intentionally misrepresenting the need for extra time on any assignments, papers, quizzes, tests or examinations, in order to gain more information.
Choosing to be absent on the due date of a paper, project, quiz or test.
Lying about any of the above.
Violating the honor code will result in a zero for the work in question at a minimum and can result in failing the course. If someone asks to borrow your assignment, say no. If someone asks about a test you’ve taken that they have not, do not divulge any information. If there is any question as to the validity of an assessment, some or all students can and will be asked to retake an alternative form of the assessment. In other words, CHEATING IS NOT WORTH IT!!!!!
Extra Credit:
There are no extra credit assignments or assessments.
Grading:
AP Biology follows hybrid standards based grading. The overall course grade will be a numeric score for each of the College Board’s 6 science practices for AP Biology that are converted into a letter grade. The overall course grade is based on student performance on summative assessments and my professional analysis of student growth. For more information on standards based grading, please see my website. There is no rounding for quarter or semester grades, do not even ask. No exceptions.
The College Board has identified 6 science practices that they test on the AP Biology exam in May. Students will be assessed on these same science practices for the grade they earn in AP Biology.
Concept Explanation: Explain biological concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
Visual Representations: Analyze visual representations of biological concepts and processes.
Questions and Methods: Determine scientific questions and methods.
Representing and Describing Data: Represent and describe data.
Statistical Tests and Data Analysis: Perform statistical tests and mathematical calculations to analyze and interpret data.
Argumentation: Develop and justify scientific arguments using evidence.
Students are expected to demonstrate proficient understanding in all standards by the end of the course. Students' proficiency of the standards will be assessed multiple times. Students’ proficiency of standards is expected to be maintained or improved throughout the semester. Check in with Ms. Ledford for relearning activity suggestions. Students’ level of academic proficiency will be reported for each science practice using the scale at the very bottom of this page.
*Please note: I do not use D+/D- when assigning grades.
Materials Needed:
Binder with dividers
College Ruled and/or graphing paper
Pens, pencils, and highlighters
Graphing Calculator
Chromebook with charger
Keys to Success:
Organization: Being organized is the key to success in any course, but especially in AP Biology. You should have your own binder for your work. Your binder should include the following sections:
Notes
Class/Lab Work
Graded Work
Paper
Keep a positive attitude and ask for help: I want you to succeed and enjoy class. This course is extremely rigorous and demanding, but never give up! Ask questions and come to Trojan Time for help. Be sure to ask for help whenever you need it, I am here to help!
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