Roadmap to Your FutureCOURSE SELECTION ADVICE FOR GIFTED

STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-8

Introductions- Meet the DepartmentAdvanced Academics • Margo Gigee- Director (gigeem@pearlandisd.org)

• Heather Block- Coordinator (blockh@pearlandisd.org)

• Robyn Olsen- Specialist, K-4 (olsenr@pearlandisd.org)

• Michael Harris- Specialist, 5-8 (harrism@pearlandisd.org)

• Damon Rayburn- Specialist, 5-8 (rayburnd@pearlandisd.org)

• Christina Pair- Specialist, 9-12 (pairc@pearlandisd.org)

• Corey Cogswell- Specialist, 9-12 (cogswellc@pearlandisd.org)

• Lupe Silva- Secretary (silval@pearlandisd.org)

Meeting GoalsTo provide information regarding scheduling opportunities available for gifted 8th & 9th grade students.

Topics for Discussion:• Overview of courses offered in junior high

school and high school• Roadmap to high school Studies• Question and answer session

Expectations for Gifted StudentsGifted students:• Are expected to enroll in Pre-AP and AP courses in their areas of strength and

interest

• Who meet specific academic course requirements have opportunities to accelerate and to enroll in multiple courses in the same content area (APSR)

• Are expected to participate in real world research and to develop professional style products

• Are expected to enroll in AP Human Geography, AP Seminar, & AP Research

• Take at least one class that is academically challenging

• Take at least one class that brings you joy

Advanced Academics Department’s Expectations for Teachers and Campuses

•Grading for GT students

• Set by the campus/department

• Should be the same as for all students at each campus/department

•Homework

• Relevant

• Meaningful

• Never excessive

• Contracts

• Should not exist

• Students cannot be forced out of an advanced class

• Summer Assignments

• Not required

• Review or readings may be suggested

• Cannot be tested or assessed for a grade

If you have questions or concerns about any of these, please contact: Teacher, Campus Principal, Advanced Academics Director: Margo Gigee

GPA : What is it? Why does it matter?•What is it?• Average grade points for the classes you complete at school

• The online course selection handbook lists GPA weight as 4, 5,or 6

•Why does it matter?• Top 10% Texas College Admissions (May be top 6-7% at University of Texas or Texas A & M)

• May have an impact on college admissions or scholarships

• College Admissions officers are looking for well rounded students who take advanced courses and exams, participate in extracurricular activities, demonstrate leadership, service

•Myth vs Reality• Myth: Everyone is taking all AP classes

• Reality:

• Between 6-13 students each year are taking all AP classes

• Most students take advantage of the GPA Waiver

Students entering 7th, 8th, and 9th GradeAdvanced/Pre-AP courses are available in each academic area

Example: Student could enroll in Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Social Studies but on-level math

Students entering 7th, 8th, and 9th GradeHigh school courses offered at junior high campuses:• Pre-AP Algebra I

• Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC)

• Pre-AP Spanish I

• Professional Communication (Speech)

• Robotics, Programming and Design

• Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Junior High School Clubs and Extracurricular Activities•Excellent time for student exploration

•Students discover where interests and strengths lie

•Get involved!

Advanced Academics-sponsored Junior High clubs:• Quiz Bowl

• Math Club (TMSCA)

• Future Problem Solvers

• Robotics

Junior High School Clubs and Extracurricular ActivitiesAdvanced Academics-sponsored High Schoolclubs:•Academic Decathlon•Model United Nations•Future Problem Solvers•UIL

PEAR-CampJuly 13-24, 2020For students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2020

Programming

Engineering

Art and applied math

Robotics

Junior Explorers ClubSTEM Extended Learning Opportunity• July 28-August 1, 2020

•Boston

Additional Course Acceleration•Acceleration is a common service for gifted students

•May accelerate in any subject area, but is typically seen in math

•Math is already accelerated by one grade level for our advanced and GT students

•All students are able to accelerate courses; however, gifted students tend to utilize this opportunity more

Why do students accelerate?

•Some students really love the subject area

•Provides flexibility for students so that they can enroll in more classes of interest

•Typically utilized by students interested in engineering, medicine, business, programming

How do I Accelerate?

Doubling up in High School •Most recommended as it allows for a full year of instruction•All 8th graders with an A in Algebra I should take double content courses (Geometry and Algebra 2 concurrently) •No AP Special Request is needed if you have successfully completed Algebra 1

How do I Accelerate?

Online Courses •Student-paced and less direct instruction•Paid for by the family and can be expensive•Pearland ISD does not facilitate the course •Contact your campus counselor for more information

How do I Accelerate?

•Credit By Exam•Least recommended as there is no instruction for students •Conducted by Pearland ISD Testing Department•Contact counselor for more information

Course Acceleration Considerations

• May require parent transportation to a high school campus during 8th grade if student is enrolled in a high school course

• 8th graders may be in class with older students

• Students will be required to take STAAR and End of Course Exams to meet graduation requirements

• Taking a math course through 12th grade is expected

• Most students benefit greatly from direct instruction and the opportunity to engage in computational thinking and problem-solving with their peers.

For more information about course acceleration or to participate in the process,

please contact your school counselor. The process begins at the campus.

Course PlanningTHINGS TO KEEP IN MIND THROUGHOUT MIDDLE AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL INTO HIGH SCHOOL

What Does AP or Pre-AP Mean?•In high school, AP and Pre-AP courses are advanced courses.

•Pre-AP provides the foundation for AP and Dual Credit

•AP Courses in high school give students access to rigorous college-level work and the opportunity to earn university credit at both public and private universities.

•Students are expected to take AP exams for courses in which they are enrolled.

•For more information, https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/exploreap/for-parents

Differences between Advanced Placement and Dual Credit?

Advanced Placement Dual Credit

Description The AP Program allows students to take college-level courses and exams, and to earn college credit or placement while still in high school.

Dual Credit allows high school students to simultaneously earn high school and college credit by completing courses at their high school.

Teachers/ Instructors Taught by high school teachers trained by the College Board.

Taught by college instructors from Alvin Community College

College/ University Acceptance

Accepted internationally. See individual college for their policy.

Accepted at public college and universities in Texas.

Cost No cost for course. Testing fee applies. AP English III Exam Total ($61)

Parents responsible for college tuition fees and textbooks.

GPA Impact 6.0 Grade Points 5.0 Grade Points

Dual Credit is not a GT Program Service Option

Typical English Advanced Progression

12th Grade

11th Grade

10th Grade

9th Grade PAP English I

PAP English 2

AP English Language and Composition

AP English Literature and Composition

Typical Advanced Math Progression

12th Grade

11th Grade

10th Grade

9th Grade

8th Grade PAP Algebra 1

PAP Geometry

PAP Algebra 2

PAP Precalculus

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Statistics

AP Statistics

PAP Algebra 2

PAP Precalculus

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Statistics

AP Statistics

AP Statistics

Typical Advanced Science Progression- High School

PAP Biology*

PAP Chemistry*

Required for STEM

AP Physics 1*

Required for STEM

AP Biology AP ChemistryAP Environmental

ScienceAP Physics 2 AP Physics C

AP Biology AP ChemistryAP Environmental

Science

AP BiologyAP Environmental

Science

AP Special Request

IPC (8th Grade)

Recommended for GT

Typical Social Studies Advanced Progression

AP Human

Geography

AP Psychology(Full year)

AP Comparative Government(Semester)

AP Macro Economics (Semester)

AP US Government (Semester)

AP US History

AP European

History

AP World History

9th 10th 11th 12th

Electives (10th-12th)

OR

AP Micro Economics(Semester)

OR

Recommended for GT

•Recommended for all GT students, but open to all students

•Recommended for all students who plan to pursue honors college or graduate studies

AP Capstone

AP Seminar

• Investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives.

• Synthesize different sources, develop own lines of reasoning in research-based essays, design & deliver oral & visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team.

AP Research

• Deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest.

• Design, plan, and conduct year-long research-based investigation.

Pre-AP/AP Special Requests

What it is and why you may need one?• PAP Studio Art• Take two subject area courses in one

year• Students who meet high school course

prerequisites don’t need APSR

See your school counselor for this form

Foreign Language ConsiderationsSpanish

• PAP Spanish 1

• PAP Spanish 2

• PAP Spanish 3

• AP Spanish Language & Culture

• AP Spanish Literature & Culture

French

• PAP French 1

• PAP French 2

• PAP French 3

• AP French Language & Culture

Computer Science

• PAP Computer Science

• AP Computer Science Principles

• AP Computer Science A

Many four-year institutions award significant weight in the admissions process to students who demonstrate fluency in at

least one foreign language. Fluency is most easily

demonstrated by participation in the full course articulation

and by AP performance.

SAT Prep

Full-Year Course

•Two Instructors

•English

•Math

Credit

•1 Elective Credit

•5.0 Grade Point or

•GPA Waiver

Course Breakdown

•PSAT Preparation

•SAT Preparation

•College Admissions & Application Preparation

Tests

•PSAT in the Fall

•Free administration to all PISD students

•SAT School Day in the Spring

•SAT cost covered by $50 course fee

Curriculum

•Khan Academy

•College Board Practice Material

•Emphasis on both academic and SAT-specific problem solving and test-taking strategies

AP/PAP Fine Arts course offerings

Art Music

AP Music Theory

Fine Arts

AP Art History

PAP Studio Art

AP 2D Design

AP 3D Design

AP Drawing

High School Graduation Requirements with Advanced Students in Mind•All high school students must take a fine arts and a physical education class to meet graduation requirements. •Some advanced students enroll in these courses during the summer so the grades do not count in the calculation of their high school GPA.•8th grade students DO NOT need to take both courses in their freshman year. They have their high school career to fulfill these requirements.

High School Graduation Requirements with Advanced Students in Mind

•Some students elect to take online courses for high school credit during the summer through approved online programs or through summer school.

•Some students elect to take Credit By Examination (CBE) to earn high school credit.

High School Graduation Requirements with Advanced Students in Mind

GPA Waiver (Pass Option)•Must earn an A in the course•See the PISD Course Selection Handbook for a complete list of 60+ qualifying courses•SAT Prep (Extra GPA Waiver)

Session Wrap UpGet Ready for High School and CollegeThroughout Your School Career:• Take risks and explore new courses, electives and clubs• Take advantage of high school credit courses in junior high school• Consider summer / online / CBE opportunities• Participate in your campus community• Clubs• Athletics/Cheerleading• Band/Choir

• Demonstrate leadership ability• Volunteer in your community• Begin a resume: Academics, Leadership, Awards, Service, Extracurricular• Research public and private colleges• Enroll in as many advanced courses as possible

Roadmap to High School

QuestionsWe will divide into grade level groups for questions.

8th grade options Damon Rayburn & Michael Harris

English, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Capstone Christina Pair

Math, Science, LOTE, Technology Corey Cogswell

District Program Services Margo Gigee

Thank you!