McKinney, Texas – When parents of McKinney ISD middle and high school students begin the process of course registration for the 2021–2022 school year in the spring, they’ll discover new terminology related to advanced academics in the MISD middle school and high school Academic Planning Guides (APG).

MISD courses formerly designated as “Pre-AP®” will now be identified as “Advanced” courses. For example, what was known as “Grade 7 ELAR/Pre-AP” in the middle school APG will now be known as “Grade 7 ELAR/Advanced.”

As the name implies, Pre-AP courses are designed to prepare students for the rigor of Advanced Placement® (AP®) studies in high school. The newly renamed “Advanced” courses will do the same.

“One of the most important aspects we want to share with our parents and the MISD community is that this change only impacts the name of the courses,” said Dr. Javetta Jones Roberson, MISD Coordinator for Secondary Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented. “This will not impact the instructional or curricular expectations our brilliant MISD educators and leaders have established for advanced level students over the years. This change will also not impact any of our AP courses offered at the high schools through College Board.”

The change in terminology follows College Board’s announcement in September that districts who wish to continue using the trademarked designation “Pre-AP” in course titles would be required to purchase and implement College Board’s Pre-AP curriculum.

MISD has for years written and implemented its own curriculum for Pre-AP and plans to continue doing so under the designation of “Advanced.” It’s an approach that is in alignment with other districts in the D/FW metroplex who have decided to move away from College Board’s Pre-AP designation, such as neighboring Lovejoy, Frisco and Allen.

This approach allows MISD to provide a greater number of advanced course offerings than would be possible through the College Board Pre-AP curriculum. In addition, continuing to use its own curriculum means that course materials and the current GPA weight will not be impacted by the change.

“Our MISD teacher leaders, instructional coaches and Curriculum & Instruction department have done a phenomenal job over the years in creating rigorous and innovative instructional experiences for students,” said MISD Senior Director of Guidance and Counseling Jennifer Akins. “Our students are well prepared for future advanced coursework, including AP courses as evidenced by performance that continues to outpace state and national averages. ”

In September, the district announced that nearly 900 MISD students earned recognition from College Board as a result of their performance on AP exams, a number that includes 58 National AP Scholars.

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