AP Programs, Dual Credit, Correspondence Courses
College Credit Programs
Information about Advanced Placement, Dual-Credit, and Correspondence Programs
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PROGRAM
AP shall be defined as those courses having specific criteria for entry of highly motivated students; a definite scope and sequence that reflects the nature of the subject; a differentiated curriculum that includes a wider range and greater depth of subject matter than that of the regular course; emphasis on high level and critical thinking skills; provision for creative-productive thinking; a stress on cognitive concepts and processes; instructional strategies that accommodate the learning styles of the students involved; and independent as well as guided research. AP courses are given additional weight in class ranking.
Getting College Credit for AP Courses:
Students can earn credit and/or placement at most colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as colleges and universities in more than 40 other countries, through qualifying AP Exam grades. At many of these institutions, students can earn up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) through a sufficient number of qualifying AP Exam grades.
Individual colleges and universities, not the College Board or the AP Program, grant course credit and placement. Because it varies from school to school, students should obtain a college's AP policy in writing. Students can find this information in the institution's catalogue or on its Web site, or by using collegeboard.com's AP Credit Policy Info search.
Colleges that have received a student's AP Grade Report will generally notify the student of any placement, credit, and exemption the student has earned. Students can also contact the college's admissions office to find out the status of his / her AP credits.
Students do not have to take the AP course in order to take the AP Exam but the AP Exam must be taken in order to possibly earn college credit related to the AP subject.
AP Placement Guidlines:
- Grades: An 87 or above average and/or demonstrated mastery of subject matter and appropriate grade level.
- Testing: Mastery of the State Assessment Test.
- Teacher recommendation based on student motivation and cooperation is recommended.
- Advanced science courses require demonstrated proficiency in math.
- Advanced English courses require an analysis of the student's writing.
- Summer assignments must be completed prior to first day of class in the fall. Failure to do so will result in zeroes.
Students must maintain a grade of 70 each grading period to remain in an advanced class. If a 70 average is not maintained, the student may be placed on probation for possible removal from the program at semester. These guidelines will insure maximum opportunity for success in AP courses. The program is open to students who are willing to attempt this rigorous curriculum.
AP Courses offered:
- AB Calculus AP
- Biology II AP
- Music Theory AP
- Studio Art AP
- Adv. French I AP
- Economics AP
- Psychology AP
- U. S. History AP
- Art History AP
- English III & IV AP
- Spanish I, II, & III AP
- World History AP
- BC Calculus AP
- Government AP
- Statistics AP
DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM
The dual credit enrollment program at CHHS is a cooperative effort with the Dallas County Community College District. Only students who meet college eligibility criteria may participate in the program. Successful completion of the program will allow students to receive high school credit and college hours for the courses taken. Class sizes must be taken into consideration. Thirty students will be considered as a full class and enrollment will be closed to additional students unless another section can be opened. Students seeking dual credit enrollment must take THEA and/or Cedar Valley Placement test prior to the semester in which they plan to enroll concurrently, meet minimum score requirements and complete CVC orientation and registration process.
Dual Credit Courses offered:
- BCIS II (D)
- Biology II (D)
- Creative Writing (D)
- Research Writing (D)
- Spanish III (D)
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Students in grades 9-12 may earn a maximum of 2 credits required by the state for graduation through correspondence courses. Courses must be approved by the state and offered by the University of Texas at Austin or Texas Tech University. [19 TAC 75.163 (a) (b)] Correspondence courses cannot be used to gain eligibility for extracurricular activities. Students must have approval from the principal or designee to enroll in a correspondence course. The student's counselor will serve as course supervisor. Correspondence courses will count as "regular courses" in computing class rank unless the course is designated as an honors course. Seniors who are enrolled in correspondence courses to earn credit required for graduation must complete the course and submit the grade for recording at least thirty days prior to the graduation date in order to be eligible for graduation. [EEJC (Local)]
