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  

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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

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

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* 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

Curriculum components and requirements for the credential

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Research Project

AP

Seminar Course

12th  

10th-­‐12th  

11th  

AP AP

To  Qualify  for  the  AP®  |  Cambridge  Capstone  

Creden$al:  

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

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Research Project

AP

Seminar Course

12th  

10th-­‐12th  

AP AP

To further develop and assess problem solving, creativity, team project-based work and effective communication.

To expand critical thinking and responsible awareness through inquiry and reflection on issues of global relevance.

Schools select thematic topics of interest; these provide relevant content for development of research & inquiry skills in the seminar

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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

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

Presentation

Reflection

Reconstruction

Detailed analysis of a point of view

Identification and evaluation of evidence for and against competing points of view

How have the student’s own views been affected by the inquiry?

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  

Team  Project    Group  project  in  which  students  are  evaluated  on  their  individual  contribu$ons  as  well  as  the  group  as  a  whole.  

~30%   Internally  assessed;  externally  moderated  

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  

~45%   Externally  assessed  mul$-­‐media  

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Features and goals of the AP® | Cambridge Research Project

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Research  Project  

AP  

Seminar  Course  

10th-­‐12th  

11th  

AP   AP  

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.

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.

Model furthers the development of connections across subjects

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Research  Project  

Seminar  Course  

12th  

10th-­‐12th  

11th  

AP  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.

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    Seminar  Course  (Team  

Project  and  Presenta$on)  and  Research  Project,  AP  

Courses  

Communica$on    

Seminar  Course  (Presenta$on);  Research  Project  (Extended  wri$ng);  

AP  Courses  

Collabora$on     Seminar  Course  (Team  Project)  

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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.

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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.”

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* 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