Texas AP Spanish Language in Middle School Project

1
Texas AP Spanish Language in Middle School
Project

• 2005 Planning Grants
• Project Districts Initial Meeting
• March 29, 2005

2
Introductions

• Texas Education Agency
• Dalissa Brandenburg, Director of AP/IB
  Initiatives
• Maria Trevino, Director of LOTE Services
• Kelly Callaway, Gifted/Talented
• Region 13 Education Service Center
• Marilyn Peebles, Director of Statewide Initiative
• Erin Midgley, Office of Statewide Initiatives
• Resources For Learning
• Tracy Laughlin, Project Evaluator

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Project Purpose

• The purpose of the AP Spanish Language Middle
  School Program is to raise the academic
  expectations of native Spanish-speaking students
  and engage them in early preparation for college
  courses.

4
Project History
2000 TEA initiates pilot with 7 districts. 2002
TEA receives grant to scale up program. 2003
13 scale-up districts receive grants to
create programs. 2004 Statewide training of
trainers promotes growth of program. 2005
Final planning grants awarded to new
districts.
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Pilot Scale-up Projects

• 19 districts
• 42 campuses
• 1,000 students annually

Final Planning Grants

• 24 districts
• 47 campuses

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Pilot Scale-Up Districts
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Is It Working?

• Examples of MEASURABLE program objectives
• Number of students served
• Exam scores
• High-school achievement
• Better identification of Hispanic G/T
• College-going rates

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RESULTS
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Exam Results

• Texas students taking AP Spanish Language 81.4
  scored 3 or higher
• U.S. students taking AP Spanish Language 77.7
  scored 3 or higher
• Participants in grant taking exam - 92 scored 3
  or higher

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Additional reported benefits

• Enhanced self-confidence
• Improved performance in other classes
• Increased enrollment in honors/AP classes
• Fewer disciplinary problems and absences
• Enhanced perception of college as a realistic
  goal
• Improved skills that transfer to other courses
  and test-taking experiences

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Additional reported benefits

• Parents of participating students became more
  involved in their childrens schools.
• Teachers involved in the pilot project felt
  rejuvenated and more motivated in the classroom.

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To Achieve Such Goals

• Define expectations.
• All participants take exams.
• Prepare students for exam situation through
  benchmarking and released exams.
• Students, teachers, parents sign participation
  agreements.
• Choose carefully the right teacher(s) for the
  position(s).

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Implementation Timeline

• Initial Meeting for award districts, March 29,
  2005
• Team Members attend Summer Institute in Spring
  Branch, June 13-15, 2005
• Teachers attend AP Summer Institute training
• Report due to Region 13, July 18, 2005

In packet
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Implementation Timeline 2005-06

• Curriculum planning modifications
• Policies Procedures determined and approved
• Student and Parent awareness sessions
• Counselor Administrator training
• Order materials for classroom
• Student Recruitment and class scheduling
• Collect baseline data, determine goals
  anticipated outcomes
• Student Summer Preparation Institute/Academy

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Implementation Timeline 2006-07

• Classes begin
• Teacher release time for curriculum support and
  adjustment
• Student tutoring and support
• Testing preparation plan testing site, material
  ordering,
• Exam administration in May
• Monitor, collect data, evaluate program

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Important Considerations

• Program Model
• Grading Policy (in writing)
• Credit Policy (Board approved)
• Materials and Curriculum
• Curriculum Alignment (Pre-AP in 7th, AP Lit in
  HS, Additional Opportunities for students)
• Adequate planning and support time (for teacher
  and students)
• Program Budget (Short-term long-term
  sustainability considerations)
• Communication (Other staff and students,
  community)

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Resources

• Contact information TEA, ESC 13 Office of
  Statewide Initiatives, Resources for Learning,
  ESC G/T Contacts
• Previous participating districts (list in manual)
• Website and Implementation Guide (sample
  resources, DVD)
• www.teamiddleschoolspanish.org
• www.teagearup.com
• http//apcentral.collegeboard.com

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Texas AP Spanish Language in Middle School
Project

• 2005 Planning Grants
• Project Districts Initial Meeting
• March 29, 2005