A.P. Research

Generative AI tools must be used ethically, responsibly, and intentionally to support student learning, not to bypass it. Accordingly, all performance tasks submitted in AP Seminar and AP Research must be the student’s own work. While students are permitted to use generative AI tools consistent with this policy, their use is optional and not mandatory. 

Students can use generative AI tools as optional aids for exploration of potential topics of inquiry, initial searches for sources of information, confirming their understanding of a complex text, or checking their writing for grammar and tone. However, students must read primary and secondary sources directly, perform their own analysis and synthesis of evidence, and make their own choices on how to communicate effectively both in their writing and presentations. It remains the student’s responsibility to engage deeply with credible, valid sources and integrate diverse perspectives when working on the performance tasks. Students must complete interim “checkpoints” with their teacher to demonstrate genuine engagement with the tasks.   

Required Checkpoints and Attestations for AP Capstone

To ensure students are not using generative AI to bypass work, students must complete interim checkpoints with their teacher to demonstrate genuine engagement with the tasks. AP Seminar and AP Research students will need to complete the relevant checkpoints successfully to receive a score for their performance tasks. Teachers must attest, to the best of their knowledge, that students completed the checkpoints authentically. Failure to complete the checkpoints will result in a score of 0 on the associated task.  

In AP Research, students must complete checkpoints in the form of in-progress meetings and work in the Process and Reflection Portfolio (PREP). No further checkpoints will be required. 

College Board reserves the right to investigate submissions where there is evidence of the inappropriate use of generative AI as an academic integrity violation and request from students copies of their interim work for review.  

Please see the AP Seminar and AP Research course and exam descriptions (CEDs) for the current policy on AI and other tools along with guidance on administering mandatory checkpoints.

One of your most valuable tools this year will be the Purdue Online Writing Lab.  Through this site you can find all information regarding citation conventions for MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides.  Attention to detail in citing will go a long way to engendering trust with your reader and therefore increase your chance of earning a high(er) score.

You can access Purdue OWL's home page by clicking the section title above, or navigate directly to the MLA, APA, or Chicago style guides.  You can also practice citation exercises here: OWL Exercises.

We will be working primarily out of Google Classroom this year.  All of your assignments and classwork will be posted on GC, so please make sure that you check for new assignments on a daily basis.

The Google Classroom codes are:

Period 1:  7x5vc7l

Period 3: qwg2dga

Period 10:  zhjfbzs