College Board AP Update

AP® Course and Exam Changes; visit Advances in AP for more information
2011-2012: French Language and Culture; German Language and Culture; and World History
2012-2013: Biology; Latin; Spanish Literature and Culture
2013-2014: Chemistry and AP Spanish Language and Culture

• AP Chemistry revisions promote a balanced instructional approach, focused not only on factual knowledge but also on the thinking and reasoning skills vital for in-depth study — and for success on the revised exam.
• AP Spanish Language and Culture revisions focus on the various modes of communication and encourage students to explore culture in engaging thematic contexts.

AP® Readers: Please share with your Chinese Language and Culture, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Italian Language and Culture, and World History AP® teachers.
The program accepts applications to score the 2012 examination in June. Visit Become an AP Exam Reader for information.

Western Regional Forum 2012 is Feb. 26–27, 2012 at The Venetian &The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit http://westernforum.collegeboard.org.

PSAT/NMSQT® results will be returned to schools mid December. Let me know how I can help.
Counseling at a Crossroads: The Perspectives and Promise of School Counselors in American Education
The College Board released last week a nationally representative survey of the perspectives of middle and high school counselors on measures of accountability and education policies and practices. This report showed what challenges they face and what solutions might be found to better leverage the extraordinary resource that school counselors represent. Read about the survey's background.

• Eight out of ten counselors report that schools’ top mission should be ensuring all students complete 12th grade, ready to succeed in college and careers. Yet, three out of every ten counselors—and only one out of five in high poverty schools—believe that, in reality, they are achieving this goal.
• Three out of four counselors (74 percent) consider their unique role to be that of student advocates, who help ensure all students have the opportunities and support they need to achieve their post-secondary goals. Yet, only 42 percent say their schools take full advantage of their efforts in this regard.
• Nearly all counselors say they are committed to the National Office of School Counselor Advocacy, NOSCA’s, Eight Components for College and Career Readiness Counseling System, which promotes college and career readiness by 12th grade.
• Visit NOSCA for complete details.

For any additional information, please contact:
Nancy S. Potter
Educational Manager, K-12 Services
The College Board, Western Region
6236 155th PL SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
425 643-7989
206 719 5820 (cell)
npotter@collegeboard.org