Academies for High School Teachers of Advanced Courses
Advanced Topics in AP*
The Rice University Academies provide experienced teachers the opportunity to delve deeply into specific course content with higher education faculty and to connect to their discipline’s current work. This unique professional development model provides teachers the depth of content needed to improve their instruction and increase student achievement.
Through course evaluations, participants frequently express that the Academy courses are challenging and rejuvenating. Participants from the 2008 Academies have described the Academies as “an enlightening experience that has rekindled my enthusiasm for teaching” and as “an outstanding professional development experience.”
Watch the Academies Video:
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Course Faculty
Facilitated by experienced AP teachers who also serve as College Board consultants, each course is typically composed of eight different presentations by distinguished faculty from Rice and other institutions of higher education.
Click here to see profiles of Advanced Topics Faculty and Presenters
Integration into AP Teaching
Each course’s lead consultant, working with university faculty members, will facilitate classroom conversations to help teachers incorporate the content into their AP classroom.
Discussions, Readings, Collegiality
Participants who choose an Academy should be prepared to participate in engaging, relevant and immersive discussions with the lead consultant, university faculty members and fellow participants. Participants may also be given required readings before and during the course.
TEA Reimbursement
All Academy courses are eligible for full tuition reimbursement by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Visit tea.state.tx.us for specific stipulations.
Because the Academies are part of the AP* Summer Institute, please see the APSI pages for more information or to register.
The Academies have been recognized by the Texas High School Project as an Exemplar Program.
*College Board®, AP*, Advanced Placement Program* and Pre-AP* are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.