1. Demonstrate Student Interest and Need:
* Gather signatures: Collect signatures from students seriously interested in taking AP Calculus. This shows concrete demand. Specify grade level. A petition is powerful.
* Highlight academic performance: Showcase the academic achievements of the interested students (high grades in prerequisite math classes). This demonstrates preparedness.
* Present future goals: Show how AP Calculus benefits students aiming for STEM fields in college. Emphasize college admissions advantages and potential scholarship opportunities.
* Research college requirements: Research the college requirements of students interested in AP Calculus. Demonstrate that taking this course is crucial for their college applications.
* Compare with other schools: If nearby schools offer AP Calculus, point out this as a competitive disadvantage for your school.
2. Address Practical Concerns:
* Teacher Availability and Expertise: Find out if the teacher has the necessary qualifications and willingness to teach AP Calculus. If they lack expertise, propose professional development opportunities or mentorship from another teacher.
* Resource Availability: Investigate the availability of resources: textbooks, materials, and technology needed for AP Calculus. Show a plan to secure these resources if necessary – perhaps even offer to help with fundraising.
* Classroom Size and Scheduling: Demonstrate a realistic plan for fitting AP Calculus into the schedule. Will it require shifting other courses, or is there a possibility of an additional class period?
* Administrative Support: Engage school administration early on. If they support the idea, it significantly strengthens your case with the teacher. They might even be able to offer incentives to the teacher.
3. Present a Well-Structured Proposal:
* Formal presentation: Prepare a formal presentation outlining the need, student interest, resources, and schedule. Include all the gathered data points from steps 1 & 2.
* Professional tone: Maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout the process. Acknowledge the teacher's workload and expertise.
* Show your commitment: Express your willingness to assist the teacher in any way possible, like helping with grading or organizing materials.
Important Considerations:
* Teacher's workload: Understand that teachers have many responsibilities. Be realistic and don't expect them to take on a significant additional burden without proper support.
* School resources: The school may lack the budget or resources to support a new AP course.
* Alternative solutions: If AP Calculus isn't feasible, explore alternative options, such as an advanced math course or online learning opportunities.
In essence, your approach should be collaborative and persuasive, demonstrating that the benefits of offering AP Calculus outweigh the challenges. Focus on making the teacher's job easier and emphasizing the students' potential benefits. Good luck!