Evanston Township High School sophomores and juniors and their parents are invited to attend a forum Jan. 12 on increasing access to and success in advance placement courses.
The “Pathways to AP” forum will address access to advanced placement courses, the supports in place to ensure success in the classes, the importance of balance and well-being, the impact of taking AP courses on college planning and the influence of exploring interests and passions on career planning.
The sessiong will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in the ETHS Auditorium.
Dale Leibforth, AP mathematics teacher at ETHS, is coordinating this effort to increase access and participation in the school’s advanced placement program.
ETHS is building a framework to help ensure each student achieves success along the pathway to and during their AP courses.
He says he hopes every student attending ETHS will “challenge themselves to the highest level and stretch themselves in an area of their passion.”
“When students are given the opportunity to take on a challenge,” Leibforth says, “they typically rise to the occasion. AP courses offer one pathway for students to do this.”
Guest speakers at the event will share their expertise and a panel discussion will feature students, AP teachers, parents and school leaders, all of whom will be available to take questions at the end of the forum.
ETHS offers 24 Advanced Placement course options in six department areas — English, fine arts, history and social sciences, mathematics, science and world languages.
AP courses offer a deeper insight into the subject matter and students are able to get a college-level experience in a particular discipline, potentially earning college credit.
AP courses help students stand out in the admission process. They are structured to encourage profound discussions, problem solving, cooperation, communication, time management, deep-level thinking, critical writing skills, discipline and positive study habits.
Several recent studies have shown that receiving good grades on AP exams significantly increases the chance for success in college.
Because of the wide array of Advanced Placement courses offered at ETHS, students can explore their passion which may eventually lead to a major in college or to a career.
“Students are better prepared for their college, career and life after experiencing the AP curriculum taught by the passionate teachers at ETHS,” Leibforth said. “ETHS is also working hard to develop structures to help ensure support and success for all students stepping up to the challenge of an AP course.”
“Colleges and future employers are looking for students who challenge themselves,” said Beth Arey, ETHS college and career coordinator, who is one of the presenters for the forum. “One element that is critical to this challenge is the depth of the student’s experience.”
For more information, contact Leibforth at leibforthd@eths.k12.il.us or at 847-424-7117 ext. 8140.
Top: Math teacher Dale Leibforth, standing, helps students in a support session for math.
ETHS Requirements
I tried to find this on the ETHS pages but could not.
What are the highest levels of courses available to ETHS in Math and Physics ? What are the 'courses' available as Independent Study ? What options are available to take high level courses at NU, Loyola etc. ?
Titles for physics courses are sometimes not clear what the level is but for example after college prep/level physics, is there Mechanics, ElectroMag, Optics, Quantum ?
For math, numerical methods, number theory, abstract algebra, etc. ?