Important Updates
Revised Course and Exam Description
As you prepare your 2017-18 AP CSP classes, review the updated AP CSP Course and Exam Description (CED) (.pdf/2.05MB). We provide a summary of the changes we made in the appendix of the CED.
Endorsed Providers PD Opportunities
Sign up for innovative curriculum and professional development delivered by expert education organizations to prepare teachers who are either experienced or new to computer science with out-of-the-box solutions to teach AP CSP. Review a complete list of College Board endorsed providers and attend a summer PD offering.
Example Textbook List Reviewed by Learning List
The AP Computer Science Principles example textbook list has been reviewed by Learning List, an independent instructional materials review service for schools and districts.
Enroll in 2017-18 AP Mentoring
AP Computer Science Principles teachers of all experience levels can participate in an online teacher-to-teacher support program.
Course Overview
AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problem solving. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science.
Essential Course Resources
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AP Digital Portfolio
The AP Digital Portfolio page provides instructions on how to navigate the web-based application, how to create classrooms, and how to confirm students' submission of performance tasks. -
AP Computer Science Principles Course Overview
The two-page Course Overview provides a succinct description of the course and assessments.
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Course Overview Modules for AP Computer Science Principles Teachers
Take a guided tour of AP Computer Science Principles with a series of video presentations that provide a detailed look at the curriculum framework, the exam, the AP Course Audit process, helpful resources, and more. -
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, and AP Course Audit.
Course Planning and Pacing Guides
The AP CSP Course Planning and Pacing Guides (CPPG) highlight how the components of the AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum Framework are addressed in the course. They model approaches for planning and pacing curriculum throughout the school year. They also provide the following valuable suggestions for teaching the course: selection of resources, instructional activities, and classroom assessments.
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CSP CPPG 1 by Art Lopez
This course is taught at a diverse urban high school. The teacher has students work both collaboratively and independently, using the Alice programming platform to create simulations and games by manipulating 3-D objects.
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CSP CPPG 2 by Chinma Uche
This course is taught at a public magnet school. The teacher focuses on collaboratively developing socially useful apps on the Android platform. Mobile CSP is used to guide instruction and activities, and it can be implemented in a flipped classroom.
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CSP CPPG 3 by Richard Kick
This course is taught at a suburban high school. The teacher uses an integrative learning, constructivist approach. Primarily through JavaScript, the teacher introduces students to computational creativity and problem solving while drawing from students' experiences and interests.
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CSP CPPG 4 by Andrew Kuemmel
This course is taught at a comprehensive and diverse urban high school. The teacher focuses on reading and writing skills as key elements of the course and charges students with taking ownership of their learning. Scratch is used as the main programming platform.
College Board Store
Upcoming AP Computer Science Principles publications, released exams, and more will soon be in the College Board Store.
AP and Higher Education
AP Computer Science Principles was created with significant support from the National Science Foundation and more than 50 leading high school and higher education computer science educators who piloted the program at their institutions. Over 350 colleges and universities have already communicated their plans to offer credit and placement for AP CSP and hundreds more will be communicated over the next year. The College Board is actively working with institutions to develop and publish their credit and placement policies for AP CSP.
Visit the AP Higher Ed site for higher ed support and resources, as well as information on recruitment, admission, and advising and placement with CSP assessments.
Meet the current Development Committee for AP Computer Science Principles.