School and System Support Offerings, 2009-10
AP, SAT, PSAT, ACT Unit
Georgia Department of Education
Contact: Becky Chambers, 404-463-5098
rchambers@doe.k12.ga.us

Using the PSAT Summary of Answers and Skills (SOAS) Report to Increase Student Achievement

Participants will learn how to interpret the SOAS report and set goals to address weaknesses in student skills. Audience: High school faculties; School Leadership Teams; Counselors; Graduation Coaches; District Curriculum Directors (Training approximately three hours)

Planning and Teaching to Enhance Critical Thinking Skills Participants will engage in activities that will guide them through the process of recognizing rigor; planning with relevant data; identifying strategies and resources for integrating and implementing rigor using the GPS and College Readiness/College Success Standards; and establishing goals for vertical, lateral, and cross-curricular planning. Data analysis will focus on PSAT/Summary of Answers and Skills as well as GHSGT, AP and EOCT data. Participants will be given examples of GPS assignments that have been adapted from a basic skill level to a more rigorous skill level, requiring synthesis. Participants adapt assignments from AP exams to be appropriate in grade 9 or 10 non-AP classrooms, without losing the elements of rigor. This training is designed to be presented to an entire high school faculty OR to key academic leaders from a faculty. The required participants from a faculty would minimally include:

• Assistant Principal for Instruction
• Department Chair from each core department
• AP teacher from each core department, if there is an AP course currently being offered in the department...(if no AP, teacher from grade 11)
• non-AP teacher working with students in grades nine or ten from each core department (Training approximately four hours)

Using Data to Improve Student Achievement

This presentation will provide participants with information on a valuable asset available to each high school, the Summary and Answers and Skills Report, which is provided following the administration of the PSAT in grade 10 each year. The SOAS report is a goldmine of data on student achievement that allows school leadership teams to identify weaknesses in student skills that need addressing to ensure student readiness for college and work. The SOAS is a guiding document for school improvement teams. The presentation will also explain the use of AP Potential, made available to each high school following the administration of the PSAT in grade 10. AP Potential provides schools with a listing of students, based on PSAT scores and scoring patterns, that are strong candidates for specific AP courses in grades 11 and 12. AP Potential is a valuable asset for use in guaranteeing a rigorous curriculum in each GA high school.

Audience: High School Principals, High School Assistance Principals, Graduation Coaches, Counselors (Training approximately 90 minutes)

Building and Sustaining Quality AP in Georgia High Schools: An Administrator’s Guide

This workshop focuses on the benefits Advanced Placement courses offer for guaranteeing rigor in the curriculum and preparing students for college readiness and success; selecting and training the 'right' teachers for AP courses; recruiting AP students using AP Potential; interpreting AP instructional reports to improve course offerings; and budgeting for college level resources.

Audience: High School Principals, High School Assistant Principals, Curriculum Directors (Training approximately 90 minutes)

SAT Online Training for Teachers

Participants will set up their own Educator Account in this program which is free to all Georgia students, grades 9-12. The lessons, quizzes, full-length practice tests, comprehensive explanations, progress/skills reports, and electronically-graded writing component can all be used as part of core classroom activities, advisement programs, or independent study portfolios.

Audience: Teachers of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, SAT Prep, Counselors, Administrators

Preparing Students for Successful Writing on Standardized Exams

Participants will learn how to integrate GPS, College Readiness, and College Success Standards for writing success. Rubrics, samples, and strategies for exemplar writing will be analyzed for the GHSGT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.

Audience: ELA Teachers, grades 9-12; all AP and Pre-AP Teachers who exams contain key writing elements; Counselors, Academic coaches; and Graduation coaches The training takes approximately 90 minutes. (Training approximately 90 minutes)

Adding Rigor to the Curriculum Using College Readiness/College Success Standards

Help your teachers integrate College Success Standards (from the College Board AP Curriculum Studies) and College Readiness Standards (from ACT Educator Surveys) with the GPS in order to ramp up the rigor in all high school and middle school classrooms. Integrating these standards is especially important in preparing younger students for success in Advanced Placement Courses and other college-level classes.

Audience: ELA Teachers, grades 9-12 (Training approximately 90 minutes)

Using AP Potential

A quick tutorial for high schools unfamiliar with this tool. Does not require a formal workshop. Contact Georgia McSwain at 404-657-9799 or Bonnie Marshall at 404-656-6854.