Developing Students with 21st Century Skills: A Curriculum and Credential Program Jointly Developed by the College Board’s AP® Program and University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011
Proprietary and Confidential— Do Not Distribute
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills framework outlines essential skills that AP is seeking to further in new ways, complementing the core AP subject experience P21 “ Four Cs”
Cri$cal Thinking Crea$vity and Innova$on
Communica$on Collabora$on AP is seeking to foster greater emphasis in secondary schools classrooms on: • Critical inquiry, synthesis and expression • Independent, creative, and interdisciplinary thought • The ability to work as part of a team • International, cross-cultural, and self awareness 2
An alliance between the Advanced Placement Program and University of Cambridge International Examinations‌. Advanced Placement and University of Cambridge International Examinations are working together to create a supplemental education program to be piloted commencing Fall 2012. This program will complement the in-depth subject-matter study provided through Advanced Placement courses and exams. The supplemental program is designed to further develop inquiry and research skills as applied to topics of global relevance, and fosters communication, collaboration, and creative skills to improve college and career readiness.
The Pilot: AP® | Cambridge Capstone Program and Credential* • The program includes a year-long seminar course (11th grade) followed by a year-long mentored research project (12th grade) • Students would take 3 or more AP courses in total • The credential would be issued upon successful completion of 3 or more APs and the AP ® | Cambridge seminar course and research project ** • Students could identify themselves as enrollees in the AP® | Cambridge Capstone Program when applying to college * The names used in this presentation for the Program, the Credential, the Seminar Course and the Research Project are all works in progress and not necessarily the final names of the offerings. **Scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams; Pass or higher on seminar course assessments and research project 4
Curriculum components and requirements for the credential
12th
To Qualify for the AP® | Cambridge Capstone Creden$al:
Research Project 10th-‐ 12th
AP
AP
AP
11th
Seminar Course
5
1. Students complete 3 OR MORE AP courses and exams—and earn a 3 or higher on each; 2. Earn a passing score in the Seminar Course and; 3. Earn a passing score on the Research Project.
Goals of the AP® | Cambridge Seminar Course 12th
Research Project 10th-‐ 12th
AP
AP
To further develop and assess problem solving, creativity, team project-based work and effective communication.
AP To expand critical thinking and responsible awareness through inquiry and reflection on issues of global relevance.
Seminar Course
6
Schools select thematic topics of interest; these provide relevant content for development of research & inquiry skills in the seminar Samples of Global Topics… • • • • • • • • • •
Alternatives to oil Artificial Intelligence Endangered cultures Global climate change Integration and multiculturalism Medical ethics and priorities Migration and work The economic role of women The ethics and economics of food The religious-secular divide
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The Seminar Course involves evaluating topics through multiple thematic dimensions Sample Topic: The Debate Around Genetically Modified Crops
Development of research and inquiry skills is central to the Seminar Course; students engage in multiple iterations of this “critical path” Deconstruction
Detailed analysis of a point of view
Reconstruction
Identification and evaluation of evidence for and against competing points of view
Reflection
How have the student’s own views been affected by the inquiry?
Presentation
An opportunity to address an issue holistically and in detail
Curriculum frameworks are available to help teachers design and structure the Seminar Course. Teacher Professional Development workshops will be provided.
The AP® | Cambridge Seminar Course assessment model aims to evaluate multiple modes of performance Component
Dura7on
Weight
Scoring
Exam Standardized examina$on that assesses student mastery of inquiry.
1h 30m
~25%
Externally assessed, short answers + extended essay
~30%
Internally assessed; externally moderated
~45%
Externally assessed mul$-‐media
Team Project Group project in which students are evaluated on their individual contribu$ons as well as the group as a whole. Individual Presenta7on Students are provided a problem statement and source materials; students conduct independent research and develop and deliver a presenta$on.
15m running $me
10
Features and goals of the AP® | Cambridge Research Project
4,500-5,000 word paper: • builds on AP and/or Seminar subject, furthering depth of program of study; • articulates with and provides progression from Seminar course; • enables students to develop practical skills in research methodology and the skills to manage a sustained piece of academic work • deepens the academic experience.
Research Project 10th-‐ 12th
AP
AP
AP
11th
Seminar Course
Evaluation of student ability to: • design, plan and manage a research project; • collect and analyze information; • evaluate and make reasoned judgments; and • communicate findings and conclusions.
11
Model furthers the development of connections across subjects 12th
10th-‐ 12th
Research Project
AP
AP
Pilots commencing Fall 2012 will allow the program to further evaluate connections between AP subjects and the AP® | Cambridge Seminar Course and Research Project.
AP
11th
Seminar Course
12
The AP® | Cambridge Capstone Program requirements align with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills framework P21 “ Four Cs”
Alignment
Notes
Cri$cal Thinking
AP Courses; Seminar Course
Crea$vity and Innova$on
Communica$on Collabora$on
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Seminar Course (Team Project and Presenta$on) and Research Project, AP Courses Seminar Course (Presenta$on); Research Project (Extended wri$ng); AP Courses Seminar Course (Team Project)
College Board Mission Statement The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid and enrollment. Among its widely recognized programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), SpringBoard® and ACCUPLACER®. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns. 14
University of Cambridge International Examinations Mission Statement • University of Cambridge International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds. • Our mission is to provide excellence in education, and our vision is that Cambridge learners become confident, responsible, innovative and engaged. • We are part of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s top universities, trusted for excellence in education. We are a not-for-profit organisation. • Our qualifications are recognised by the world’s universities and employers. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students gain the Cambridge qualifications they need to enter the world’s universities. • More than 9,000 schools in over 160 countries are part of our Cambridge learning community.
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Statement of support for the AP® | Cambridge Capstone Program from US Institutions of Higher Education* The AP ® | Cambridge Capstone experience “promotes not only rigorous curricular content but also critical inquiry, independent thought, and a global, interdisciplinary approach to learning…the integration of Advanced Placement (AP ) courses and the AP ® | Cambridge Seminar Course and Research Project (AP ® | Cambridge Capstone Program) balances rigorous curricular depth and breadth while fostering the development of habits and skills such as independent inquiry, critical thinking across disciplines, and the communication of complex thought. The goals are: – Engagement with rigorous college preparatory curricula – Promoting a critical, questioning approach to information – Developing disciplined and scholarly research skills within a context of interdisciplinarity and global awareness.” * Members of the Cambridge Higher Education Advisory Council for the USA : Duke University, Florida State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia, University of Washington, Yale University 16