University Offers AP Summer Institute This July - August

Texas A&M International University will offer an Advanced Placement (AP) Summer Institute for educators July 28 - August 1 at the University.

Oscar J. Munoz, Director of Continuing Education at A&M International, said the summer program provides educators with an opportunity to receive Advancement Placement training in a focused environment.

"AP training helps teachers to better prepare their students for Advanced Placement courses and examinations. It is a rigorous training program required by the State of Texas for all teachers that will be conducting AP classes at the high school level or Pre-AP classes at the middle school level," he explained.

Munoz said national notice of the AP Institute's availability in Laredo this summer has generated considerable interest from educators across the nation.

"Many educators take advantage of the AP Institute's location in an area other than their hometown to augment the AP training with exposure to other cultures and environments. Laredo's location on the US-Mexico border offers additional study and travel opportunities for educators attending the University's AP Summer Institute," he explained.

AP courses that will be available at A&M International this summer will include English Language, English Literature, Math Pre-AP, Biology, Chemistry, English Pre-AP, and Administration, all offered from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday and 8:30 am - 12 noon Friday, from July 28 - Aug. 1. Tuition is $300 per course. Tuition costs include lunches provided Monday - Thursday.

A separate AP training in administration will be held Aug. 1 from 9 am - 3 pm at a cost of $50. Lunch will be provided.

Deadline to register for the AP Summer Institute is July 15. Registration received after July 15 will be accepted on a space available basis and will be subject to a $15 late registration fee.

Information on course registration is available by calling the University's Office of Continuing Education at 326-2700. Information may also be secured by fax or by email at ojmunoz@tamiu.edu.

Students who complete the AP program at their respective high school have an opportunity to advance their higher education by taking the individual course AP examination. A score of 3, 4 or 5 on the subject AP examination will result in the student receiving college credit at Texas A&M International University for the subject. By having these credits as they enter into A&M International or other universities, students will be able to reduce the number of University courses they will have to take and thus shorten the length of time that they are at the University for their first degree.

Locally, AP programs are offered at St. Augustine High School, John B. Alexander High School, United High School, United South High School, Cigarroa High School, J.W. Nixon High School and Martin High School.

Local Coordinators for the AP program include Karen Winch at United Independent School District and Imelda Rodriguez at Laredo Independent School District.

Nationally, AP is coordinated by the College Board, a national non profit association that champions educational excellence for all students through the ongoing collaboration of nearly 2,900 schools, colleges, universities, educational systems and organizations.

For additional information on A&M International's AP Summer Institute, please contact the University's Office of Continuing Education at 326 - 2700.

Local and area high school students interested in coordinating advanced placement at A&M International can contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 326 - 2270.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu