2026-27 Pre-AP Algebra 1 Course Audit Pathways
The Pre-AP Course Audit is a required process for schools wishing to designate their courses as “Pre-AP.” It ensures Pre-AP courses meet curricular requirements and supports teachers in understanding their course’s core elements. At the same time, teachers have shared that the process can feel overly administrative and they’d welcome additional ways to learn about their course.
Based on this feedback, the Pre-AP Program worked with teachers to design alternate Course Audit pathways for the revised Pre-AP Algebra 1 course. Testing these pathways during the 2026-27 Course Audit year will help determine how to best support teachers as they prepare to teach their courses.
As a result, if you’re teaching Pre-AP Algebra 1 during the 2026-27 school year, your Course Audit experience may differ from the standard process for other Pre-AP courses. This new process only applies to the 2026-27 Course Audit year.
Course Audit Pathway Instructions
To complete the Pre-AP Course Audit, follow the steps below. As part of the process, you’ll be randomly assigned to one of three Course Audit pathways based on your district. Pre-AP Algebra 1 teachers within the same district will receive the same pathway. Each pathway is designed to take approximately the same amount of time as the standard Course Audit process. All pathways have been reviewed and tested by Pre-AP Algebra 1 teachers.
- Sign in to your Pre-AP Course Audit account. If you’re new to teaching Pre-AP, you’ll be prompted to create an account.
- Add your course. Select Add New Course and choose Pre-AP Algebra 1.
- Fill out the Pre-AP Course Audit form. You'll need to complete and submit the form for your Course Audit administrator to approve.
- Complete your assigned Course Audit pathway, which will be one of the following:
- Course Audit form submission: You’ll submit the Course Audit form only.
- Online learning modules: You’ll complete the Course Audit form followed by online learning modules about the course's core elements. These modules are different from the foundational and experienced teacher modules in Pre-AP Classroom.
- Course knowledge check and online learning modules: You’ll complete the Course Audit form followed by a knowledge check about the course. Then you’ll complete modules on topics where additional support may be helpful. These modules are different from the foundational and experienced teacher modules in Pre-AP Classroom.
- Complete the check for understanding. Once you complete your assigned pathway, you'll answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate what you learned about teaching the course. The questions are designed to assess how effectively each pathway supports teachers in understanding the course’s required content and skills. Your responses will solely be used to help the Pre-AP Program understand if the pathway is clear, useful, and well structured.
- Give feedback on your assigned pathway. You’ll complete a short survey about how engaging your pathway was and whether it improved your understanding of the course and your confidence in teaching it. This feedback will help the Pre-AP Program refine how we support teachers preparing to teach their courses.
After Completing Your Assigned Pathway
Once you complete these steps, you’ll be notified when your course is authorized. You'll also be entered to win free admission to the 2027 AP Annual Conference.
Note: This process only applies to the 2026-27 Course Audit year. You will not need to repeat this process for 2027-28. Your Course Audit administrator will be able to renew your course.
FAQ
How long will my assigned pathway take to complete?
We recognize that teachers are balancing many responsibilities, so each pathway is designed to take approximately the same amount of time as the standard Course Audit process. You don’t need to finish it in one sitting, and you’ll have until January 31, 2027, to complete your assigned pathway. This allows several months to complete the requirement at a pace that works for you.
Can I choose or switch my Course Audit pathway?
Teachers are randomly assigned to a Course Audit pathway based on their district. Pre-AP Algebra 1 teachers within the same district will receive the same pathway.
If you’re assigned an alternate pathway, you can choose to complete the standard Course Audit process instead before clicking the “Start Course Audit” button. However, we strongly encourage you to complete your assigned pathway. The pathways were developed and tested with teachers, and your participation and feedback will help the Pre-AP Program refine how we support teachers preparing to teach their courses.
As a thank-you for participating, teachers who complete their assigned pathway will be entered into a drawing to win free admission to the 2027 AP Annual Conference.
Will the checks for understanding evaluate teacher performance?
No.
They’re designed to assess how effectively the pathway supports teachers in understanding the course’s required content and skills. Your responses will help the Pre-AP Program understand if the pathway is clear, useful, and well structured.
Who can I contact if I need help completing my pathway?
On-screen text will guide you through your pathway in the Course Audit platform. If you need help, you can send a message through the communication center in the Course Audit platform or call 877-APHELP-0 (274-3570).