DSU Host Summer Advanced Placement Institute in Computer Science

News Release
Contacts: Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director
tadp@ris.sdbor.edu
Tracy Mercer, Information Research Analyst
tracym@ris.sdbor.edu
T: 605.773.3455
F: 605.773.5320
www.ris.sdbor.edu

PIERRE- The South Dakota Board of Regents will host an Advanced Placement Institute in Computer Science from July 19-23, 1999 at the Center for Public Higher Education in Sioux Falls. The institutes are offered to teachers who want to prepare high school students for Advanced Placement examinations in computer science. The computer science institute will be under the direction of Dr. Marvin Albin, Director of Sioux Falls Programs and Professor of Information Systems at Dakota State Universisty.

Administered by the College Board, the Advanced Placement Program offers high school students an opportunity to complete first-year college level courses. Following instruction in special AP courses, in honors classes, or in extra independent study, the students can take examinations that demonstrate they have obtained the knowledge and skills of comparable college courses. When those students later enroll in a college or university that accepts AP credit, they can present their AP scores. All six of South Dakota’s public universities accept AP credit. "AP courses are a tremendous opportunity for high school students. The courses prepare students for college level work and can be used to reduce the cost of college by reducing the number of courses they need to complete a degree," said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry.

AP exams are offered nationally in May each year. The Advanced Placement program contains 32 courses in 18 subject areas. Participation in the program is on the rise throughout the nation and in South Dakota. Nationwide more than a half million high school students took AP examinations in 1998. The total number of South Dakota students who took the exams in 1998 was 1,086 compared to the 882 students in 1997.

The Regents are hosting this institute and others this summer in response to requests from leaders in elementary and secondary education who indicated the school districts wanted assistance in preparing teachers to offer College Board AP courses. "The Board of Regents is committed to increasing cooperation between the universities and the school districts in South Dakota. When public school representatives asked for AP training the university presidents were happy to develop the institutes which are funded in part with university Reinvestment Through Efficiencies resources. This is the second year the universities have hosted the institutes and it is a service they plan to continue," said Perry.

High schools offering AP courses are making a commitment to teach a course that is equivalent to an entry-level college course. The College Board does not require that the high school teachers have any special training but it does encourage teachers to attend special workshops or courses intended to assist them. The computer science institute will provide teachers with course content, teaching methods, and information on how to prepare their students for the AP examination.

Announcements and application materials have been mailed to school board presidents, superintendents, and secondary principals. Any interested teacher should contact his or her school officials. Further information about the AP computer science institute contact Dr. Marvin Albin, Director of Sioux Falls Programs and Professor of Information Systems at Dakota State University at (605) 367-5380 or via Internet at albinm@zeus.dsu.edu.

Five other AP institutes will be held this summer: English Literature and Composition at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from June 20 to 24; Physics at South Dakota State University from July 12 to 16; Chemistry at Northern State University from July 12 to 16; Calculus AB at South Dakota State University from July 19 to 23; United States History at the University of South Dakota from July 25 to 30. Superintendents and principals may obtain College Board materials on the AP program from Dr. Paul Gough at the Board of Regents at (605) 773-3455. The Regent’s AP policies are available on the Internet at the Board’s web site www.ris.sdbor.edu.

High school teachers who enroll in the AP institutes have the option of earning two hours of graduate credit. Those who do not want to earn college credit will be charged only for materials. Those seeking credit will be required to complete specific course requirements and will be charged applicable tuition rates.