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Overview and Timeline
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Overview
The AP Course Audit was created at the request of secondary school and college members of the College Board who sought a means for the College Board to:
- provide teachers and administrators with clear guidelines on curricular and resource requirements that must be in place for AP courses; and
- help colleges and universities better interpret secondary school courses marked "AP" on students' transcripts.
All schools wishing to label a course "AP" in the 2008-09 school year must complete and return the subject-specific AP Course Audit form (available on the AP Course Audit Web site), along with the course syllabus, for each teacher of that AP course.
Note: If you are an online or distance learning course provider, or a brick-and-mortar school delivering your AP courses virtually, please visit the link below for information on how to request authorization to designate these courses "AP."
 Online/Distance Learning AP Courses
Within two months of submitting AP Course Audit materials, schools will receive authorization for qualifying courses to use the "AP" designation on student transcripts. Each fall, the College Board publishes the AP Course Ledger, identifying the courses authorized to use the "AP" designation at each school. After participating in the AP Course Audit, schools will not have to submit AP Course Audit materials in following years unless the teacher has changed, the school offers a new AP course, or the curricular and resource requirements for a course undergo significant revision.
Note: Schools may continue to order and administer AP Exams without participating in the AP Course Audit, but cannot label courses "AP" without the authorization granted through the AP Course Audit.
Benefits of the AP Course Audit for Teachers
For AP teachers at all levels of experience, the audit provides:
- A clear definition of elements required in a college-level course.
- Support materials for developing or refining a college course syllabus, such as sample syllabi that illustrate the variety of ways a course can meet the curricular requirements of your course.
- Validation of curriculum through external review by college faculty.
- A means for AP teachers to receive updates, new materials, and the latest information about course/exam updates.
- Leverage to ensure students have the resources, such as college-level textbooks, that the course requires.
- Defense of college/university admissions benefits for AP students. As the AP Program expands and more schools recognize AP courses as examples of rigorous college-level course work, some schools apply the "AP" designation without following the official AP Course Description or without ever intending to offer AP Exams. Other schools apply the "AP" designation to courses not developed by the AP Program. If the College Board were not to implement a course audit to prevent such misuses, it is possible that the "AP" designation on a student's transcript could become less meaningful to colleges and university admissions officers.
Timeline
March 4, 2008
Schools can begin submitting course syllabi and AP Course Audit forms through an entirely Web-based process for 2008-09 course authorizations. There will be no faxing of Course Audit forms. Principals can begin renewing course authorizations for previously authorized courses.
June 1, 2008
The Preferred Submission Date for the Initial Submission of AP Course Audit Materials for 2008-09 Courses
Schools may submit their initial materials after June 1; however, the College Board cannot guarantee that courses that begin the review process after this date will be authorized in time to be included in the November launch of the 2008-09 AP Course Ledger. However, the Ledger will be updated on a weekly basis throughout the year to reflect newly authorized courses.
November 2008
The College Board publishes the Web-based AP Course Ledger for 2008-09, identifying all courses authorized to use the “AP” label on student transcripts. The Ledger is updated each week throughout the year to reflect newly authorized courses.
January 31, 2009
Deadline for Submitting AP Course Audit Materials for 2008-09 Courses
No first-time submission of materials will be accepted after this date. Teachers who had previously submitted their materials and need to resubmit for additional reviews, however, will continue to be able to submit their materials.
March 2009
Schools can begin submitting course syllabi and AP Course Audit forms for 2009-10 course authorizations. Principals can begin renewing course authorizations for previously authorized courses.
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