Advanced Academics
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Exam Update – 5/5/2020
The College Board has released the following helpful resources for AP Exam Testing:
- AP At Home Testing Guide: HERE
- 2020 AP Exam Day Checklist: Checklist items for students to complete before, during, and after AP Exams.
- Information about Accommodations: cb.org/ap2020accommodations
- AP 2020 Exams: Exam Walkthrough Video HERE: This a good video to help students with at-home testing, including which devices that can be used to take the exam, how to sign in on exam day, and the different ways to submit responses.
- AP 2020 Exams: Demo Site: This interactive demo of the online exam will give students an opportunity to know exactly what to expect on exam day. The demo replicates a two-question exam (some of this year’s AP Exams have one question, and some have two). It is highly recommended that students practice using the Demo on the device they plan to take their AP Exam(s). Please note, the demo will work regardless if GRAMMARLY is installed or not. On the actual day of the exam, the Grammarly plug in will interfere with the AP Exam. Grammarly needs to be uninstalled/removed. More information is below. Students can practice as many times as they like; this experience can help students decide which way to submit work on exam day. HERE
- AP 2020 Exams: Resources Needed on Exam Day:
- Supplemental AP Testing Guides: AP World Languages and AP Music Theory Testing Guides are now available. The exam administrations are different than for other subjects so it’s important to review and know what to expect.
AP Testing Update - 4/29/2020
2020 AP Exam Day Checklist - Students should complete this checklist for each exam they take and keep it next to them while testing.
Explainer Videos - New videos are available to give students quick, easily accessible information about their test day experience, what they need to do to prepare, exam security, and more. Explore the playlist.
College Board AP Exam Updates
- College Board AP Exam Update - 4/3/2020
The College Board released additional information on April 3, 2020, regarding AP exam testing. The update information can be found on the College Board website and the highlights are below:
- The AP exam testing schedule is here. Please read carefully so that you do not miss your exam test date.
The exams will be 45-minutes long. Specific questions that will be included on the exams can be found by scrolling down the page and clicking the '+' sign beside each course description here. - You will need to manage your own time. There will be a timer on the screen to assist you, but you must ensure that you successfully upload your exam responses within the specified time frame.
- Please make sure you have a viable email address, as the College Board is sending all communications via the email address you used when registering for the test. You will also receive your AP exam "join code" at this email address.
- You may use your book or notes to help you answer the questions, but the College Board is taking test security very seriously. They have incorporated multiple measures to ensure fidelity of testers and all students will be asked a series of questions prior to testing to establish identification baselines.
- Your AP teacher is your best source for additional information regarding your AP exam. Contact him or her, your campus AP Coordinator, or you may also email the Advanced Academic Studies department at advancedstudies@springbranchisd.com.
Resources
Daily College Board AP YouTube exam prep videos taught by expert content teachers around the country:
https://www.youtube.com/advancedplacement
MyAP Classroom for access to your current course’s resources and formative assessments:
https://myap.collegeboard.org/login
Khan Academy is a great resource for additional skills and concept videos. Search for AP courses, or log into your account here:
https://www.khanacademy.org/signup
Shmoop offers a modern take on multiple study guides. Sign in or sign up for an account here to access AP test materials:
https://www.shmoop.com/teachers/best-practices/premium-content/ap-test-prep.html
EdX offers free online AP courses developed by prestigious universities around the country:
https://www.edx.org/learn/ap
Dual Credit (HCC)
Students enrolled at the high school campus
There are no HCC classes the week of March 23 – 27.
Beginning Monday, March 30,
- All HCC courses will continue via an online platform.
- All HCC dual credit students MUST resume HCC coursework in this manner for the remainder of the school year.
The semester will end as scheduled. Please login to your HCC account for information from your instructor as to where and how to access the curriculum. If you have not heard from your instructor by Tuesday, March 24, contact him/her via email.
Support
To support you in this new learning environment, Student Instructional Resources includes:
- Canvas Training (Introduction & Guides)
- Canvas Training for Students
- Canvas Student Guide
Effective immediately, all SBISD Early College/Dual Credit students must
- Login to your HCC student account daily
- Information for accessing your account
- HCC Tech Support can be reached at 713-718-8800
- Complete ALL assignments and meet ALL deadlines outlined by your instructors in the online format.
- Access online tutoring
- For support with your district-issued computer and/or internet access, contact SBISD Technical Support at 713-251-8324.
- Reminder: All coursework assigned must be completed and turned in via the online platform. There will be no face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester.
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The spring semester will end as scheduled. Final exams are scheduled the week of May 11-14. Your instructor will provide instructions as to the format.
Students who attend classes at the HCC campus
There are no HCC classes the week of March 23 – 27.
Beginning Monday, March 30,
- All HCC courses will continue via an online platform.
- All HCC dual credit students MUST resume HCC coursework in this manner for the remainder of the school year.
The semester will end as scheduled. Please login to your HCC account for information from your instructor as to where and how to access the curriculum. If you have not heard from your instructor by Tuesday, March 24, please contact Donna Handlin.
Support
To support you in this new learning environment, Student Instructional Resources includes:
- Canvas Training (Introduction & Guides)
- Canvas Training for Students
- Canvas Student Guide
Effective immediately, all SBISD Early College/Dual Credit students must
- Login to your HCC student account daily
- Information for accessing your account
- HCC Tech Support can be reached at 713-718-8800.
- Complete ALL assignments and meet ALL deadlines outlined by your instructors in the online format.
- Access online tutoring.
- For support with your district-issued computer and/or internet access, contact SBISD Technical Support at 713-251-8324.
- Reminder: All coursework assigned must be completed and turned in via the online platform. There will be no face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester.
- The spring semester will end as scheduled. Final exams are scheduled the week of May 11-14. Your instructor will provide instructions as to the format.
Contact
For questions/concerns, contact SBISD dual credit staff
- via the REMIND app
or - by email
Dual Enrollment (OnRamps)
Students enrolled in UT OnRamps
All students enrolled in a UT OnRamps course will continue learning via the Canvas platform, and all communication will be delivered through this platform.
UT OnRamps and their instructors are committed to
- Continuing with student accommodations that are currently in place
- Coordinating instruction and support through weekly email communication to students in the college course (minimum)
- Responding to student communications within 48 hours on business days
- Providing activities, classwork, homework, and assessment focused on stimulating student involvement and encourage critical thinking
- Maintaining online office hours through OnRamps Support
- Hosting group chats or synchronous learning as required
- Coordinating teacher assistants and grading
Timeline and courses
- April 3 – Revised College Syllabus will be published in Canvas for each online course
- April 3 – Specific guidance provided for completion of Lab Courses
- April 6 – Alternate College Assessment Plans will be distributed to high school instructors and students for each course
Student expectations
- Login to Canvas as usual. SBISD OnRamps instructors and University professors will communicate with students via Canvas.
- Communicate with your high school instructor via Canvas or district email, as needed
- Coursework will resume according to the adjusted timelines set forth by the University of Texas.