The College Board does not require advanced placement teachers to have any specific qualifications, but there are several training resources that it highly recommends teachers attend. These resources include AP conferences, AP reading exams, summer courses, and professional development workshops. Although substitute teachers aren’t required to have certain qualifications, some states require teachers to attend one or several of these training programs before they can teach advanced placement classes.
Annual Advanced Placement Conference
Held annually, the Advanced Placement Conference includes members of the AP community such as administrators, counselors, and teachers. The conference provides useful discussions and information for anyone involved in an AP course. Books, technology, and new resources are put on display, allowing teachers to be exposed to new ways of teaching and improving their advanced placement class. In addition, the conference provides an environment in which experienced and new AP teachers can share best practices and strategies. Teachers also have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
Advanced Placement Reading Exams
After advanced placement teachers finish giving their AP exams, a group of AP and college teachers gather to read and grade the free response questions on the exam. Some teachers choose to participate in the AP reading from their own home via the Internet, while others opt for a specific location in which they can participate. They are then able to exchange information with members of the AP committee as well as other teachers. By using the given rubric to grade the free response questions, advanced placement teachers have the opportunity to learn what the AP scorers are looking for in terms of correct answers. Having this knowledge ultimately makes it easier for AP teachers to grade their own students’ essays throughout the year.
Advanced Placement Summer Courses and Workshops
The AP Summer Institutes, held at state universities and colleges, each cover one particular topic, according to the College Board. Since the courses take place at several institutions, the information AP teachers receive will vary. However, the College Board is responsible for providing the materials as well as consultants who work to ensure that the courses meet the Board’s high standards. Most courses cover topics about improving already-existing advanced placement classes, how to teach students at lower levels, available resources, the AP course structure, and the AP exam in general. Although the cost of attending will vary depending on the college, the College Board allows teachers to attend for free if the schools in which they teach do not pay for the cost of professional development.
In addition to providing more than 30 hours of training for Advanced Placement teachers, the AP Summer Institutes offer an outlet for teachers to share pertinent information and ideas regarding the AP courses they teach. Workshops are available for both pre-AP- and AP-level courses, and AP teachers are exposed to similar, although not as in-depth, material as what is offered in the AP Summer Institutes. Advanced placement teachers can take workshops in a variety of subject areas such as history, science, world language, English, and mathematics.
Despite the fact that there are no specific qualifications to teach advanced placement classes as far as the College Board is concerned, teachers may consider researching their state’s Department of Education to learn about the requirements for AP teachers. Even if states do not have requirements in place, it is often in Advanced Placements teachers’ best interest to attend some form of training where they can strengthen their training and knowledge.
