What's the Connection Between Pre-AP and SpringBoard?
SpringBoard and Pre-AP are both College Board programs that offer grade-level instruction backed by a robust menu of resources and professional learning. Both focus on getting students ready for college and careers. Both focus on performance-based assessments rather than grades.
But the two programs also have important differences:
| SpringBoard Curriculum (typically taught in grades 6–12) |
Pre-AP Courses (typically taught in grades 9 and 10) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Full curriculum |
|
Set of courses |
|
ELA and math only |
|
All content areas: ELA, math, science, social studies and history, plus visual and performing arts |
|
District- or school-adopted curriculum, which includes comprehensive instructional materials |
|
Course frameworks with model lessons, giving teachers the flexibility to use the resources of their choosing |
|
No official designation |
|
Official course designation with inclusion in the Pre-AP Ledger |
How Do SpringBoard and Pre-AP Work Together?
For English:
SpringBoard ELA supports Pre-AP in unique ways. Schools that select SpringBoard ELA as a primary resource have access to lessons and corresponding student materials that follow the Pre-AP unit structure.
In English 1, the first lessons in each SpringBoard unit share the same texts and overall lesson flow as the Pre-AP model lessons. The remaining SpringBoard lessons serve to continue and extend the learning while maintaining the unit goals and preparing students for success on the Pre-AP performance task. English 2 follows the same structure, though some texts vary between Pre-AP and SpringBoard.
For Math:
Although SpringBoard Math courses can be used to address the Pre-AP frameworks, the instructional approach and activity sequence may need to be modified to meet the commitments of Pre-AP. Pre-AP reflects College Board’s most current, research-based instructional approaches to support all students in preparation for college and career.
If My School Has SpringBoard, What Can Pre-AP Add?
- Increased focus: Pre-AP course frameworks guide teachers and students to spend time on topics and skills that matter most.
- Collaboration and consistency: The instructional principles shared across courses help teachers build horizontal alignment and collaborate with peers in other disciplines. Students benefit from the consistency.
- Model lessons: Teachers from different disciplines benefit from clear models for engaging, grade-appropriate instruction. English 1 model lessons are embedded in the 2021 English I edition of SpringBoard.
- Additional assessments: Formative and summative assessments offer teachers a more robust set of data on student progress so they can adapt their instruction.
- Help with integrating the programs: An instructional planning resource ensures a cohesive SpringBoard and Pre-AP implementation.
- Outside recognition: Provides designation in the official Pre-AP Course Ledger for your school.