The Basics Slide 1 — The Basics

Hello and welcome.

Thank you for joining this session of the AP Coordinator Tutorial for 2015-2016.

For new Coordinators, these tutorials provide a solid foundation and a clear description of the role and responsibilities of the AP Coordinator.

For experienced Coordinators, these tutorials provide the same review.

They also feature some advanced ideas to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Thank you again for your interest. Let’s get started.

Slide 2 — The AP^® Program

The AP Program provides willing and academically prepared high school students with the opportunity to study and learn at the college level.

They are not “hard” high school courses or honors-level courses. It is important for schools, parents, and students to be clear on this distinction.

There are 37 courses and exams in a variety of subject areas.

Each AP course is modeled on a comparable college course, and each AP course culminates with an AP exam. This is a college-level exam scored by college and university faculty.

Slide 3 — Credit and Placement for AP Scores

Students can earn college credit and/or advanced placement based on their performance on AP Exams.

In the U.S., most colleges and universities grant credit or advanced placement.

Each college or university sets its own policy.

The College Board has a helpful website that details credit policies at most colleges and universities.

The credit and placement policy is a significant part of the AP program.

This helps to encourage students and families to participate in AP.

The AP program potentially allows students to save money in college.

This can be measured in the total number of courses student have to pay for.

It can also be measured in the total amount of time required to earn a degree.

Each school designates an AP Coordinator.

The Coordinator is responsible for organizing and administering the school’s AP program.

This includes all aspects of security, including receipt, distribution, administration, and returning of exam materials.

The Coordinator is responsible for the security of the exams from start to finish.

Slide 5 — Who Are AP Coordinators?

The Coordinator may be a full-time administrator, counselor, or faculty member.

The Coordinator may not be a current AP teacher.

Many Coordinators also oversee the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) program

Many Coordinators also oversee the AP Course Audit.

Neither of these required duties for a Coordinator.

However, the Coordinator does work closely with both of these people throughout the year.

Slide 6 — Who Are AP Coordinators?

Again, the AP Coordinator cannot be a current AP teacher.

AP teachers can assist with paperwork and student registration only.

AP teachers cannot handle, or have access to, the actual exams.

In addition, the Coordinator cannot have an immediate family or household member taking an AP exam that school year.

This restriction is enforced even if the family or household member does not attend the same school that the Coordinator works at.

Coordinators have access to all AP Exams, which presents a conflict of interest.

Slide 7 — AP Coordinator Website: www.collegeboard.org/apcoordinator

This is a screen shot of the AP Coordinator’s Home Page.

The URL is displayed at the top.

Bookmark this page, as it will be used often throughout the year.

One of the places Coordinators can navigate to is AP Downloads.

This web page features many brochures, reports, spreadsheets, manuals, and many other AP-related documents.

In addition, any of the downloads referenced in this tutorial are available on (or linked from) the Tutorial Page.

The AP Coordinator Community is a helpful tool for Coordinators.

It is an online collaboration space.

Coordinators use it to connect with each other, share materials, and exchange ideas.

One of the popular benefits of the Coordinator Community is the ability to participate in discussions.

The discussion posts can be viewed only when the site is accessed — or sent directly to the Coordinator’s email.

Coordinators, both new and experienced, should register for the Community.

It’s easy to sign-up and there is no charge. Please sign up today.

All Coordinators receive the monthly newsletter during the school year via email.

The newsletter is sent to the Coordinator designated on the AP Participation Form.

The newsletter is a timely reminder of dates and deadlines.

It helps keep a Coordinator on track throughout the school year.

Slide 11 — Networks for Coordinators

The College Board offers several professional development opportunities for Coordinators.

The one-day AP Coordinator regional workshops are powerful professional development and job training opportunities.

They are held throughout the year in a variety of locations.

They are hosted by current or former AP Coordinators.

The National and Regional Forums are outstanding professional development conferences.

They feature powerful keynotes and breakout sessions.

They are particularly beneficial to Counselors and Administrators who are also AP Coordinators.

The AP Annual Conference is generally held in mid-to-late July.

In 2016, it will be hosted in Anaheim, California.

During the conference there are specific breakout sessions for Coordinators, Counselors, Administrators, Teachers, and more.

It’s always an exciting event full of positive energy and information.

Thank you for viewing this session of the AP Coordinator Tutorial.

For more information about the AP Program and AP Coordinators, please visit the other tutorial sessions.

Also, as a reminder, all of the downloads referenced in the tutorials are available on (or linked from) the tutorial page.

I personally believe it is our responsibility as AP Coordinators to provide the best possible program and testing environment for our students.

Strive to give your students the best opportunity to maximize their academic abilities.