AP Summer Institute
2026
AP Environmental Science
DAY 1
Workshop Leader: Courtney Mayer
school
Education
Teaches AP Environmental Science at UT High School
groups
AP Consultant & Lead (Since 2003)
Instructional design lead for PreAP Biology. Specialist in AP Environmental Science, Readiness, Skills & Practices, and Quantitative Data.
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Author
Author of 11 textbooks in science education
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AP Leadership
AP reader and early table leader
Equity and Access
The College Board strongly encourages educators to make equitable access a guiding principle for their AP programs by giving all willing and academically prepared students the opportunity to participate in AP.
We encourage the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underserved.
Schools should make every effort to ensure their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population.
The College Board also believes that all students should have access to academically challenging course work before they enroll in AP classes, which can prepare them for AP success.
College Board | AP
Equity and Access
Reflect & Discuss
•What stands out to you?
•What in the statement affirms or extends your thinking about equity and access?
•How does this statement connect to your work as an educator?
QUICKWRITE
What are the hopeful and optimistic elements of the statement?
Course-at-a-Glance: A Comprehensive Overview
Elements Included
Reference: CED, pages 20-23
Course-at-a-Glance: A Comprehensive Overview
Key Elements Included
Reference: CED, pages 20-23
Environmental Science Course Skills
How scientists conduct research
Discussion:
What do you notice about the verbs as you read through each of the skills?
Course Skills Overview
How scientists conduct research
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Discussion:
What do you notice about the verbs used in these skills?
Science Practices 5, 6, & 7
CollegeBoard
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Checkpoint 1
What do the colors of the Skill Categories represent?
Checkpoint 2
What do the small boxes in each column represent?
Checkpoint 4
Where is the suggested pacing found?
Checkpoint 6
What is the information at the bottom of the column telling you?.
Checkpoint 3
How many units are there for the entire year? Why do you think they are sequenced in this order?
Checkpoint 7
Under each unit title, there are percentages: What are they percentages of?
Checkpoint 5
Which two units have the most topics? Which two have the least?
Checkpoint 8
What do you think is measured on the Personal Progress Checks (PPC)?
Checkpoint 9
Which unit has the highest weighting on the AP Exam?
Checkpoint 10
How is the scaffolding of skills displayed across the units?
Violet = Skill 1: Concept Explanation
Blue = Skill 2: Visual Representations
Brown = Skill 3: Text Analysis
Yellow = Skill 4: Scientific Experiments
Orange= Skill 5: Data Analysis
Teal = Skill 6: Mathematical Routines
Green = Skill 7: Environmental Solutions
Each small box is a topic within the unit (practice is also an acceptable answer)
There are 9 units for the year.
The suggested pacing is found next to the exam weighting.
Units 5 and 8 have the most topics. Units 2 and 7 have the least.
The information at the bottom of the column provides information about the Personal Progress Checks.
The percentages represent exam weighting.
The PPCs measure students’ progress on applying course skills within the topics.
The Skills colors are represented throughout the units providing multiple opportunities for student practice.
Unit 9 has the highest weighting on the exam.
What's New in Unit 1: Ecosystems?
Key Refinements
Structure
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Topic 1.5: The Nitrogen Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Comprehensive Cycle Dynamics
The updated content now provides a much deeper level of process detail.
This now includes sources and sinks and all specific steps and processes
Topic 1.5: The Nitrogen Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Comprehensive Cycle Dynamics
The updated content now provides a much deeper level of process detail.
Previous ERT-1.E.2 is now better aligned with ERT-1.E.4. This EK has remained the same.
Topic 1.5: The Nitrogen Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Comprehensive Cycle Dynamics
The updated content now provides a much deeper level of process detail.
Previous ERT-1.E.3 is now better aligned with ERT-1.E.2. The new EK references soil bacteria and requires students understand chemical symbols for ammonia. There has been some updated phrasing.
Topic 1.5: The Nitrogen Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Comprehensive Cycle Dynamics
The updated content now provides a much deeper level of process detail.
Current ERT-1.E.3 is relatively new and includes information on nitrogen availability and limiting factors.
Topic 1.5: The Nitrogen Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Comprehensive Cycle Dynamics
The updated content now provides a much deeper level of process detail.
Previous ERT-1.E.4 remains in the new ERT-1.E.4
Topic 1.6: The Phosphorus Cycle Refinements
PREVIOUS
NEW
Refined Atmospheric Statement
The phosphorus cycle content has been restructured to clarify environmental limitations.
The new ERT-1.F.2 EK now includes the statement about having no atmospheric component (previously in ERT-1.F.3)
Topic 1.6: The Phosphorus Cycle Refinements
NEW
Simplified Movement Dynamics
The updated ERT-1.F.3 continues to emphasize the scarcity of phosphorus in ecosystems.
New ERT-1.F.3 continues to include information on the scarcity of phosphorus but the explanation of weathering/the movement of phosphorus has been somewhat simplified.
Topic 1.11: Food Chains and Food Webs
New ENG-1.D.1 describes the role of each organism in a food chain/web
PREVIOUS
New
NEW
11 Food Chains and Food Webs
ENG-1.D.1 A food chain depicts the flow of energy and matter from producers (autotrophs) to primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary and tertiary consumers (omnivores and carnivores).
Detritivores and decomposers play an essential role in food chains and food webs by returning nutrients to the soil.
A food web is a model of an interlocking pattern of food chains that depicts the flow of energy and matter in two or more food chains.
Pre-AP Biology
Nutrient Cycling in the Serengeti
Student Handout (Advanced) | HHMI BioInteractive Activity
Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle
This activity explores how nitrogen moves through the Serengeti ecosystem, involving complex interactions between plants, animals, and soil microorganisms.
Pre-AP Biology
Unit 2
HUMANS!!!!!!
What's New in Unit 2: Biodiversity?
Learning Objective ERT-2.H
Shifts focus from individual organism adaptation to how entire populations respond to environmental changes.
Updated Language ERT-2.H.1
Reworded with precise terminology regarding heritable changes. While the core meaning remains the same, the academic rigor is increased.
Topic 2.6
Adaptations: What's New?
Strategic Shift: New Learning Objective ERT-2.H shifts focus from how individual organisms adapt to how entire populations respond to environmental changes.
New Learning objective ERT-2.H shifts how organisms adapt to their environment to how populations respond to changes in the environment.
Topic 2.6
Adaptations: What's New?
Strategic Shift: New Learning Objective ERT-2.H shifts focus from how individual organisms adapt to how entire populations respond to environmental changes.
EK ERT-2.H.1 has been reworded with updated language on heritable changes, but meaning remains largely the same.
Unit 3
What's New in Unit 3: Populations
Human Dynamics
Refined focus on global population growth and decline factors. Updated data interpretations for doubling time and RNI calculations.
EIN-1.C.1 Update
Content remains consistent, but the explicit statement regarding the "postponement of marriage" has been removed to streamline core concepts.
Topic 3.8: Human Population Dynamics
Update Overview: New EIN-1.C.1 remains largely the same, although the statement about postponement of marriage has been removed.
PREVIOUS VERSION
UPDATED VERSION (NEW)
New EIN-1.C.1 remains largely the same, although the statement about postponement of marriage has been removed
Topic 3.8: Human Population Dynamics
Update Overview: New EIN-1.C.1 remains largely the same, although the statement about postponement of marriage has been removed.
UPDATED VERSION (NEW)
New EIN-1.C.4 further details how to measure population growth using RNI and Rule of 70
Topic 3.8: Human Population Dynamics
Update Overview: New EIN-1.C.1 remains largely the same, although the statement about postponement of marriage has been removed.
UPDATED VERSION (NEW)
uses growth rate, while updated uses RNI.
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Exploring the Unit at a Glance
CED, Page 34
Course Structure & Customization
The Unit at a Glance Table shows topics, enduring understandings, and suggested skills. The "class periods" column is blank for teacher customization.
Linking Content to Skills
The suggested skill for each topic demonstrates how to link specific content to AP Environmental Science science practices.
Skill Spiraling & Assessment
Individual skills are chosen to allow teachers to spiral them throughout the course. Personal Progress Checks are based on these pairings, though AP Exams can pair any content with any skill.
© CollegeBoard
Exploring Sample Instructional Activities
CED, Page 35
The Sample Instructional Activities page includes optional activities that can help tie together the content and skills of a particular topic.
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© CollegeBoard
AP Summer Institute 2025
AP Environmental Science
DAY 2:
Exam Overview
Overall Section Weights
The new exam will always follow specific criteria regarding the number of items in certain categories.
CED, page 223-227
Section | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Weight | Timing | |
1 | Part A: Four Common Option Sets | 12-15 questions | 80 questions | 60% | 90 minutes |
Part B: Classification sets and discrete items | 65-68 questions | ||||
2 | FRQ 1: Design an investigation | 10 points | 40% | 70 minutes | |
FRQ 2: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution | 10 points | ||||
FRQ 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations | 10 points | ||||
Exam Weightings
Unit Weights: MCQ’s
The new exam will always follow specific criteria regarding the number of items in certain categories.
Exam Weightings
Content, Application, and Practice
The new exam will always follow specific criteria regarding the number of items in certain categories.
Question Types: Section I
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
Structure: Section I includes 80 multiple-choice questions.
Question Sets: Some appear in sets of 3–4 questions with stimuli including:
Many items are discrete, standalone, and may be accompanied by stimuli requiring analysis and application of curriculum concepts.
Calculator Policy: Students are permitted to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator.
Exam Change Overview
Revised language in Section II provides clarity on science practices assessed in free-response questions. Titles have been updated to better reflect the task required of students.
Question 1
Design an Investigation
Now always includes a graphic or visual diagram.
Science Practices:
1, 2, 4, 7
Question 2
Analyze Quantitative Data
Now always includes a graph or data table.
Science Practices:
1, 2, 5, 7
Question 3
Problem Solving & Calculations
Analyze environmental problems doing calculations.
Science Practices:
1, 2, 6, 7
Note: Science practice 3 has never been, and continues to not be, assessed in the FRQ.
AP Calculator Policy
Usage Policy
Calculators can be used on both parts of the AP Exam.
Approved Types
Four-function, scientific, or graphing calculators are permitted.
AP Classroom������Overview – April 2026����
AP Classroom Resources: Supporting Teaching and Learning
AP Classroom Resources Support Teaching and Learning
As each course
topic is taught …
At the end of each
course unit …
As the AP Exam approaches …
At any point
during the course …
Unit Guides
AP Videos
Question Bank
Individual Assignment �Results
Progress Check Report
All Assignments Report
Content & Skills �Performance Report
Unit Guides
AP Videos
Course-Specific Activities
Topic Questions
Question Bank
Individual Assignment �Feedback
AP Videos
AP Student Practice�(AP Calculus only)
Progress Checks
Question Bank
Individual Assignment �Results
Progress Check Report
All Assignments Report
Content & Skills �Performance Report
AP Videos
Question Bank
Practice Exams
Progress Check Report
Content & Skills �Performance Report
Chief Reader Reports/Student Samples
Course Guide
Follow the outline of the AP Course and Exam Description for a recommended sequence and suggested pacing through the required scope of the course.
Assign the incorporated formative resources as you teach each unit and its topics to provide students with opportunities to practice what they’ve learned and to assess student understanding of course content and skills.
AP Videos. Assign these short, on-demand videos led by experienced AP teachers to help students understand essential course concepts
Topic Questions. Check student understanding as you teach each course topic by assigning these formative assessment questions.
Progress Checks. Periodically gauge student understanding of course topics and skills by assigning these multiple-choice and free-response formative assessments by unit.
Archive of Exam FRQs. Includes: Chief Reader Report Free-Response Questions, Scoring Guidelines,
Sample Response from past AP Exams.
Unit Guides
AP Videos: How can they be used?
Topic Questions: How can they be assigned?
Progress Checks: What are they?
Progress Checks provide students with unit-level formative assessment opportunities with multiple-choice and free-response questions that assess students’ progress in learning content and skills for each unit.
Progress Checks were designed to:�
Progress Checks can also be duplicated and edited. Progress Check questions are available individually in the Question Bank.
Question Bank
Assessments Simulate the Digital AP Exam
Assigned Resources
All Assignments Report
FRQ Archive (FRQs, Student Samples, Chief Reader Reports)
Assignment Results: Question Summary
Assignment Results: Question Detail Page
Assignment Results: Student Summary
When reviewing results for an assignment, teachers can go to the Student Summary and toggle between the Response View and Time View.�
Content & Skills Performance Report
Student View, Announcements and Help
A Tool for Identifying Student Readiness
AP Potential
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What is AP Potential?
Each fall, AP Coordinators and Principals receive an annual access code (via email) to reactivate their AP Potential access – the code is used once and expires after one year
Data Privacy: Teachers do not have direct access to AP Potential – they must request student data from their AP Coordinator or Principal
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AP Potential is available in 27 subjects
*Subject also available for 10th graders.
Arts
English & Capstone
History & Social Sciences
Math & Computer Science
Sciences
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AP Potential can help your school
Find students who are ready for your AP class but not yet enrolled
Give more students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement
Decide if more sections are needed for your AP course
Save time with ready-to-use student rosters
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How AP Potential Works
1
2
3
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Learn More
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AP Course Audit �
AP Course Audit: Submission Types
Need help creating your syllabus?
Review the Syllabus Development Guide. This resource includes the guidelines reviewers use to evaluate syllabi along with samples of evidence.
upload_file
Submit New or Revised Syllabus
copy_all
Claim Identical to a Syllabus
move_up
Transfer an Approved Syllabus
description
Adopt Unit Guides or a Sample Syllabus
CollegeBoard
AP Course Audit: What You'll Need to Do
Detailed User Guide: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-course-audit-user-guide.pdf
Unit 4
What is new in Unit 4:
Earth Systems and Resources?
This unit now includes the formal definition of loam: a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay ideal for agriculture.
New ERT-4.C.4 just adds the definition of a loam
Previous
New
Soil Labs
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Understanding Soil Texture
The soil texture triangle is used to determine soil classes based on the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.
Use this chart to identify soil type by finding the intersection of three percentages.
Unit 5
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
Course at a Glance: Topics and Science Practices
Land, Water & Aquaculture
5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons
5.8 Impacts of Overfishing
5.16 Aquaculture
Forest management
5.2 Clearcutting
5.17 Sustainable Forestry
Agricultural Methods
5.3 The Green Revolution
5.4 Impacts of Agricultural Practices
5.5 Irrigation Methods
5.15 Sustainable Agriculture
Pest Management
5.6 Pest Control Methods
5.14 Integrated Pest Management
Meat & Sustainability
5.7 Meat Production Methods
5.15 Sustainable Agriculture
Resource Extraction
5.9 Impacts of Mining
Urbanization & Runoff
5.10 Impacts of Urbanization
5.13 Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff
10–15% AP Exam Weighting
Sustainability & Footprints
5.11 Ecological Footprints
5.12 Introduction to Sustainability
What’s New: Unit 5 Land and Water Use
Key Curriculum Updates
Unit 5 focuses on human disruptions to ecosystems and resource management. Key changes include:
Note: These updates reflect the 2026 Course and Exam Description (CED).
Topic 5.5: Irrigation Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
PREVIOUS LANGUAGE
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.E.1
On a global scale, approximately 70% of human freshwater consumption is used for agriculture.
"This EK remains largely the same but has some updated language."
EK EIN-2.H.1 has been updated to include rotational grazing.
Previous
New
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
PREVIOUS LANGUAGE
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.1 Clarifications:
EK EIN-2.I.1 clarifies energy per gram of protein production. It also now includes information on nutrient pollution and emissions of meat production. It calls out that different types of meat have different environmental impacts
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
PREVIOUS LANGUAGE
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.1 Clarifications:
EK EIN-2.I.2 gives more specifics on CAFO’s environmental impacts including different diets, release of methane, and use of antibiotics.
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.2 Clarifications:
EK EIN-2.I.3 includes information on free-range and pasture grazing, and now adds rotational grazing and the benefits that come along with that.
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.2 Clarifications:
EK EIN-2.I.4 Provides expanded information on the environmental impacts of overgrazing.
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.2 Clarifications:
EEK EIN-2.I.5 Now includes how to address the environmental impacts overgrazing and includes some solutions.
Topic 5.7: Meat Production Methods
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
EK EIN-2.I.2 Clarifications:
EK EIN-2.I.6 now provides more information on the environmental benefits that come along with consuming less meat (environmental solution). Cost-benefit statement was also added.
EK EIN-2.I.6 now also includes the use of precision farming as an environmental solution (this is new and should be addressed).
Cooking Mining & Tragedy of the Commons Labs
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Lab Overview & Learning Objectives
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Join APES Facebook Group
Connect with the Community
The National APES teachers group is a private space for educators to share resources, labs, and teaching strategies.
groups7.8K active members
lockPrivate educator group
forumDaily resource sharing
JOIN GROUP
© 2026 College Board
Unit 6:
Speed dating!
What's New in Unit 6: Energy Resources
Updated Curriculum Standards
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption includes critical terminology updates to align with professional industry standards.
Standard ENG-3.F.1:
Focus Area:
© 2026 College Board
Topic 6.5: Fossil Fuels
2026 Course and Exam Description (CED) Update Overview
UPDATED 2026 LANGUAGE
New ENG-3.F.1- updated hydrologic to hydraulic. No need to change how you address this.
Topic 6.5 Fossil Fuels
Previous
Urban Runoff & Particulate Inquiry Lab
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Analyzing Indoor Pollution Sources
Explore the primary sources of indoor air pollution across different areas of a typical home, from the attic to the garage.
Follow the lab guide to document your findings and propose mitigation strategies.
© 2026 College Board
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AP Daily Videos
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ondemand_video
Workshop Task
Watch 3 videos on topics you are unsure about and then discuss in breakout rooms.
AP® Daily
event_available
Short daily video lessons through the school year
record_voice_over
Taught by AP teachers
video_library
Videos on every topic in every unit
laptop_mac
In AP Classroom
© 2026 College Board
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Planning Time
114
© 2026 College Board
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AP Summer Institute 2025
AP Environmental Science
DAY 3
CollegeBoard AP
Unit 7:
Slow down!
Ozone Strip Lab
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Photochemical Smog Formation
Observe how nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight throughout the day to create ground-level ozone and haze.
CollegeBoard AP
Chalk Drawings
Visualizing Concepts
Use colorful chalk to bring environmental science concepts to life on the pavement or chalkboard.
CollegeBoard AP
Island Biogeography
This diagram shows the effect of an island’s size on the amount of species richness. The diagram shows two islands equidistant from the mainland. Island 1 receives less random dispersion of organisms. While island 2 receives more of the arrows and therefore more random dispersion of organisms.
This diagram shows the effect of an island’s distance from the mainland on the amount of species richness. The sizes of the two islands are approximately the same. Island 1 receives more random dispersion of organisms, while island 2, since it is farther away, receives less random dispersion of organisms.
Unit 8: Slow down!
Biodegradable Materials Lab
Planning Time
141
Session Objectives
College Board | AP®
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AP Summer Institute 2026
AP Environmental Science
DAY 4
Lab Analysis
scienceSoil Salinization
opacityOzone Test Strips
filter_vintageParticulate
settings_input_componentNuclear
College Board | AP®
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Calculate Example:
As a result of improved technology, the efficiency of solar panels has changed over time. In 1992 a solar cell had a maximum efficiency of 15.9%. In 2017 a solar cell prototype capable of 44.5% efficiency was produced. Calculate the percent change in efficiency from the 1992 cell to the 2017 cell. Show your work.
Hints For Success:
186
Posters on what not to do:
187
191
Check your answer!
192
What now?
194
Better Scientific Writing- CER
198
199
Scientific Writing
200
210
Required Content
Legislation and Policies, Page 26
Unit 9:
15-25% of the exam!
Global Warming/Ozone depletion
213
Deep Dive: Instructional Planning Report
Summer 2021
Instructional Planning Report
Features
Shows performance of students on multiple-choice and free-response sections for each AP exam administration compared to global group.
Note: Instructional Planning Reports are only available for students who tested in Administration 1, i.e. exams where the free response questions are released on the College Board website 48 hours after the administration.
Summary and Score Distributions
This part of the report displays your students’ performance and score distribution on the 1–5 score scale compared to their state and global peers for the version of the exam they took. It also includes key metrics such as the mean scores and % of students who scored a 3 or higher.
Based on your organization's geographical location, your comparable groups will differ.
Multiple Choice
Reports will reflect the new Units of Instruction and align with the Course and Exam Descriptions.
Teachers can refine the view of the Multiple-Choice performance breakdown by grouping reporting categories together such as Units, Skills, Big Ideas, Practices, Stimulus Types, etc.
Free Response
Additionally, most subjects will reflect more detailed score breakdowns in the Free Response section.
Filtering Reports – Teacher View
Some reports allow you to apply additional filters to your data after the report has run.
You can use these filters to drill down into the performance of a subset of your students compared to their peers with the same attributes.
Note: No Data Available - In some situations, there is no data available for your chosen filters. For example, if you choose to view all 10th grade students who scored a 4, but none of your students received that score, you will see a no data message directing you to select different criteria
Filtering Reports – Teacher View
You can filter the report by:
*For World Language exams, you can choose to display all students or just the standard group. The standard group is comprised of students who indicated that they have not lived or studied for one month or more in a country where the language of the exam is spoken, and they do not regularly speak or hear the language at home.
Downloading Reports in PDF Formats
Additional Things to Consider
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Math Practice
Mastering the Quantitative Section
Consistent practice is the cornerstone of success in AP Environmental Science math problems.
Core Mathematical Skills
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Thank You!
Courtney Mayer
emailcourtneyanddavidmayer@gmail.com
phone210-823-7049
Planning Time
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Use this time to review your Instructional Planning Reports and start mapping out your curriculum strategy.
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