How Do I Bring Advanced Placement (AP) Courses To My School?

For students who aren’t challenged by standard instruction, advanced placement courses can provide the needed stimulation. In addition, advanced placement courses are appealing on college applications and may help students gain entry to a more prestigious program. However, not every school offers advanced placement courses to students. Fortunately, it is possible for a teacher to bring advanced placement courses to his or her school by taking the appropriate action. One way to bring advanced placement courses to a school is detailed below.

1. Choose a course

If you want to bring an AP course to your school, you need to make sure you have enough students who will be interested in the course. You should also consider whether the students are likely to be successful in the course you plan to add. If you believe you have enough students for the course, you can begin the process of bringing it to your school.

2. Select a teacher

After you have chosen a course, you must select a teacher who is capable of teaching the course. Make sure the teacher will have enough time in his or her schedule. You should also make sure that the teacher is qualified to teach the course effectively.

3. Recruit and register students

The next step in the process is to recruit students for the course. Try to find students who are likely to be successful in the course. Entice students to register for the course by explaining the benefits of advanced placement study, such as the opportunity for college credits, and consider offering incentives to students who agree to join the course.

4. Obtain your materials

If the school approves your course and you are able to find the students you need to fill it, you can begin obtaining the materials you need for the course, including textbooks, worksheets, and any other tools you need for the course. In some cases, you may be able to obtain grants or other financial support to help you purchase the materials you need.

5. Complete the audit

Before you can launch the course, you must submit an AP audit for approval. Make sure you submit the audit by the deadline, and don’t forget to include all of the required documents.

6. Attend professional development

Before beginning a new AP course, it helps to participate in professional development. During professional development, you can learn tips and tricks to help you guarantee the success of the program. You may also learn about opportunities for funding, as well as strategies for attracting new students and encouraging them to succeed.

7. Launch the course

During the next school semester, you can begin offering the course to students. Set up your schedule well in advance, and make sure your curriculum covers all of the skills and knowledge students will need to pass the AP exam.