Governor Bentley Announces Expansion of High Schools Participating in APTIP

“A+ College Ready is a proven investment that is preparing our students today for the jobs of tomorrow.” – Governor Robert Bentley

Following is a news release from the Governor’s Press Office outlining the continuing expansion and success of Alabama’s Advanced Placement program. The A+ Education Partnership and A+ College Ready are proud to work closely with the Alabama Department of Education and the National Math and Science Initiative in making this proven successful initiative available to public high school students across Alabama.
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GREENVILLE— On the heels of a recent announcement that Advanced Placement scores for Alabama students are the best ever, Gov. Robert Bentley today had more good news for the state’s economic future. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at Greenville High School, Gov. Bentley announced  that 20 more Alabama high schools will soon join 43 others already participating in A+ College Ready’s Advanced Placement Training  and Incentive Program.

A+ College Ready, which is funded by a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), was established to significantly increase the number of Alabama students taking math, science, and English AP courses and earning qualifying scores on AP exams.  Through its AP Training and Incentive Program, A+ College Ready uses the funds to give students and teachers the tools, resources and support they need to succeed, as never before in Alabama, in teaching and learning rigorous AP course work.

“A+ College Ready is a proven investment that is preparing our students today for the jobs of tomorrow,” Governor Bentley said.  “The expansion of Advanced Placement training into 63 schools proves that Alabama is not only committed to building and sustaining a world-class workforce, but that our teachers and students are most definitely up to the task.”

In its 7th Annual AP Report released last week, the College Board cited Alabama as a national leader in rising AP participation and success rates.

“It is a good day in Alabama to see more of our students – particularly those from traditionally underserved communities –participating and succeeding in AP courses than ever before,”  Bentley said. “AP courses offer our students the best chance to succeed in college and beyond and I am committed to building on the success of programs like A+ College Ready, which work to expand AP course offerings in schools.”

In 2008, when Alabama became one of only six U.S. states to win a coveted NMSI AP Training and Incentive Program grant, the number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses increased significantly. In the first year alone, 23 Alabama schools in five districts recorded a 106 percent increase in passing scores on AP math, science and English exams. With a success rate 16 times the national average of 6.6 percent, Alabama led the nation in increasing the number of students earning passing scores.

“Alabama students are succeeding in AP classes at unprecedented rates. With the addition of 20 new schools, we will open AP classroom doors to more students than ever before, including some who may not have initially believed they could succeed at this level,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton. “Our results show that with the right support, Alabama teachers and students can and will achieve at high levels.”

The 20 new high schools selected through a competitive application process to participate in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program include:

“A+ College Ready improves academic opportunities for students across the state and ultimately allows businesses to employ the best and brightest graduates.” said Dr. Eli Capilouto, Provost, University of Alabama at Birmingham and A+ College Ready Board member.  This belief is echoed by business leaders from Alabama Power Co., Regions Financial Corporation, Boeing and ExxonMobil that help fund A+ College Ready along with other companies, foundations and individual donors from across the state.

A+ College Ready is a division of the A+ Education Partnership and was created with funding from the National Math and Science Initiative to implement a proven Advanced Placement training and incentive initiative in public schools throughout Alabama.