Article on grading

What can we do to make sure the focus is on learning and not a letter? How do we change our grading practices without hurting our students' chances at getting into the college or university they wish to attend?

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/work_in_progress/2014/11/why_its_time_to_give_up_grades.html?cmp=ENL-TU-NEWS3

Interview with Carol Dweck on praise

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/11/too-many-kids-quit-science-because-they-dont-think-theyre-smart/382165/2/

Write Women Back in History Essay Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                               CONTACT: Kristen Corey

November 3, 2014                                                                                 Office on the Status of Women  515-281-4470 or women@iowa.gov

31^st Annual Write Women Back Into History Contest Announced

2015 theme focuses on “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives”

DES MOINES – The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women is seeking entries for the 2015 Write Women Back into History Essay Contest from students in grades 6–9. The theme of this year’s contest is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.”

In partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women within the Iowa Department of Human Rights, invites students to participate in order to gain a deeper and more relevant appreciation of women’s roles in history. The contest helps highlight stories of women's achievements that are integral to the fabric of our history.

The Write Women Back into History Essay Contest is held as part of Iowa’s observance of Women’s History Month. March is often designated as Women’s History Month by the governor, the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives, the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress, and will be celebrated in hundreds of communities and thousands of classrooms nationwide.

Winning essayists will be awarded prizes, announced on the floors of the Iowa House of Representatives and Senate. They will also be recognized at a special ceremony at the State Historical Building during Women’s History Month, and each finalist will receive a certificate signed by the governor. All winners’ names will be released to the press, and a special effort will be made to inform media outlets in the students’ communities of their honors. 

Contest guidelines and entry forms are available online by clicking here or by contacting Kristen Corey at 515/281-4470, 800/558-4427 or women@iowa.gov.

The deadline for entry is January 23^rd, 2015. Anyone with questions may contact Kristen Corey in the Office on the Status of Women at 515/281-4470, 800/558-4427 or women@iowa.gov.

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Regina Advanced Placement Program

What is AP?

AP courses are created and reviewed by a group of college faculty and AP teachers from across the country. The courses cover the information, skills and coursework that correspond to the comparable college course. AP courses are not a more difficult high school class or a college preparatory class. AP courses are college level classes taught in the high school setting.

Teachers of AP courses are required to submit a course audit. This is a highly detailed course syllabus that must be approved by the College Board.

AP Exams are given in May. They are a cumulative examination of the courses content and skills. They are developed and reviewed by a team of college faculty and AP teachers. The free response section of the exams are scored by teams of college faculty and AP teachers.

What AP courses are offered at Regina?

          AP Courses taught by Regina teachers

          Biology

          Calculus AB

Calculus BC

English Language & Composition

English Literature & Composition

United States History

World History

AP Courses offered online

Chemistry

Macroeconomics (content certified mentor)

Microeconomics (content certified mentor)

Physics – not available in 2014-2015 due to course update

Psychology (content certified mentor)

Spanish Language (content certified mentor)

Statistics

U.S. Government and Politics

All AP courses taught at Regina have been approved by the College Board (U.S. History is going through a renewal due to a new teacher and course update). All online courses are also approved by the College Board. Online courses are conducted through Apex Learning or the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy (IOAPA). Students taking courses through IOAPA have an online teacher.

         

Recent AP Timeline

          2006-2007              6 courses taught at Regina, 8 courses online; 67 students – 153 exams

          2007-2008              5 courses taught at Regina, 7 courses online; 51 students – 102 exams

          2008-2009              6 courses taught at Regina, 6 courses online; 54 students – 91 exams

          2009-2010              6 courses taught at Regina, 8 courses online; 67 students – 125 exams

          2010-2011              6 courses taught at Regina, 8 courses online; 84 students – 199 exams

          2011-2012              6 courses taught at Regina, 8 courses online; 77 students – 164 exams

          2012-2013              7 courses taught at Regina, 8 courses online; 85 students – 174 exams

          2013-2014              7 courses taught at Regina, 7 courses online*; 73 students – 158 exams

          2014-2015              7 courses taught at Regina, 6 courses online*; ? students – ? exams

What is the AP Index?

The AP Index is the ratio of the number of AP exams taken to the number of graduates in a specific year. Each year’s AP Index is based on the previous year’s graduates and exam administration. For example, the 2014 AP Index is based on the number of AP exams taken and graduates in 2013.

Regina has ranked high on the AP Index since its inception in 2005.

         

	AP Index	Small School Ranking	Nonpublic School Ranking
2005*	1st	1st	1st
2006*	2nd	1st	1st
2007*	3rd	1st	1st
2008	1st	1st	1st
2009	3rd	1st	1st
2010	7th	2nd	1st
2011	3rd	1st	1st
2012	2nd	1st	1st
2013	3rd	1st	1st
2014	3rd	1st	1st

How do Regina students perform on AP exams?

Five-Year Trend for % of Total AP Students with Scores 3+

	Regina	Iowa	Global
2010	65.7	63.9	60.2
2011	70.2	65.1	60.2
2012	67.5	64.0	61.5
2013	67.1	62.9	60.9
2014	78.1	63.0	61.3

What do Regina graduates say about AP courses?

“Cal Poly is so much more than I expected. There is so much to do here both in school and out. I'm thinking about joining a club that builds a formula1-hybrid car (electric race car) from scratch and races it. As for AP credits I have enough to technically be a sophomore in the engineering program.”

-        Jared Geraets class of 2014 (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA)

“It is great to save money and be receiving college credit, but I didn’t realize how much it frees up your schedule for you to take classes you are really interested in. I have freed up enough time to be able to graduate in 4 years and study abroad, so that is wonderful!”

-        David Rudolph class of 2012 (Oklahoma)

“AP credits helped me skip ahead to higher class levels that count as honors courses. It also will help me save money by not paying to take classes I was able to take in high school. Most importantly, it helped give me a better idea of the work load and level of responsibility necessary to do well in college classes, especially the online classes that were essentially self-paced.”

-        Mia Boldt class of 2014 (University of Michigan)

“The material and knowledge that I was taught in AP absolutely is used in freshman and sophomore courses and by taking AP classes, whether or not I got credit for it, I was given a head start.”

-        Greg Ward class of 2012 (University of Northern Iowa)

“Taking AP classes definitely helped my all around experience in high school. They taught me to start thinking in different ways than I ever had and gave me a more complete education. They prepared me well for the difficulty of college classes. AP classes do require more time and effort outside of school which seemed difficult at the time, but it taught me how to effectively balance schoolwork with activities. On top of that, I'm now going to the University of Iowa with a full year's worth of credit which puts me ahead of many of my peers. I recommend AP classes to anyone who is up for the challenge but is also looking to reap the benefits from the AP process.”

-        Adam Ries class of 2014 (University of Iowa)    

Cartwheel challenge

Here is the link to my G+ video post.

https://plus.google.com/104665945911905398369/posts/bYNNuuuZR95

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 15. The test starts at 8:20.

Any 10th and 11th grader may take exam. We have a limited number of tests. The fee for the test is $14.

See Mrs.Zoulek for more information.

2015 Iowa Juneteenth Observance Essay Contest

Please share the information with your student. This is a great opportunity fro our students to showcase their talents and get a nice prize.

Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11

Theme: How does education influence freedom, liberty, and responsible citizenship in a culturally diverse society?

Requirements: Essay between 500 and 700 words using at least 5 sources of information (cited), color photo (headshot), complete student information form (see Mrs. Zoulek or Mr. Plummer)

Top Honors: 3 winning essayists will receive a trophy, 1st place - $1,000 gift card, 2nd place - $300 gift card, 3rd place - $200 gift card

Deadline: March 31, 2015

See Mrs. Zoulek or Mr. Plummer for more details.