Ditto!!! Lots of work, but the students have a wonderful portfolio if they meet the requirements--whether or not they get a 3 or higher on their AP score. My major complaint is that we receive no indication of what is missing in the portfolios--ie justifications for scores, etc. Many of the schools that compete are art magnet schools, art academies or have art departments with several art teachers and various exposures to the arts. However, it still is a great program for developing portfolios for college applications. Log onto the AP College Board website (www.collegeboard.com) and check out some examples. Also they have a copy of next year's curriculum--it's changing to seperate portfolios in either drawing, 2-d color and design or 3-d which I think will help students concentrate in the area they are strongest. Good luck, and if you get a chance the AP seminars are a big help, also if you go to the NAEA, there are several presentations on AP. Judie J I have been teaching A/P art for 6 years and you need to be A/P certified to do so. In my district you also need GT certification. You need to take the training at a college or university that offers it. The program is connected to the College Board and it requires developing a portfolio for your students. The kids need to comple a conceptual statement, complete a minimum of 35 - 40 high quality pieces of art, participate in crits each grading period and develop a concentration. Lots of work! Let me know if you need any other info. Barb in TX Y Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <http://explorer.msn.com judiej50@mindspring.com leave-artsednet-5780X@lists.getty.edu ---