A+ CR Announces the Addition of 10 Program Schools for 2018-2019

In the 2018-2019 school year, for the first time in program history, students from more than half of all Alabama public school districts will be able to participate in a statewide initiative that aims to increase the number of high school graduates prepared for the challenge of college courses.

A record 176 Alabama high schools will participate in the A+ College Ready program throughout the 2018-19 school year.

A+ College Ready works to boost the number of students in Alabama taking and earning qualifying scores in math, science, English, social studies and computer science Advanced Placement (AP®) courses. Participating schools receive comprehensive teacher training and support for Advanced Placement students and teachers, as well as training for ALL teachers in grades 6-11 in math and grades 6-10 in science, English, social studies, and computer science in order to increase growth and achievement for ALL Alabama students.

“Every year it is a joy to welcome new schools into the A+ College Ready family,” said Tammy Dunn, Vice President for Academic Affairs, A+ College Ready. “We look forward to what can be accomplished for Alabama students as a result of these new partnerships.”

The Alabama State Department of Education has partnered with A+ College Ready for more than 10 years to develop this initiative. Next year’s cohort will be the 11th group of schools participating in this statewide college-readiness program since its founding. ALSDE credits this partnership for helping thousands of Alabama students become college ready.

Alabama has consistently ranked number one among all 50 states in the percent increase in AP qualifying scores on math, science and English AP exams from 2008-2016 for all students. Last year Alabama ranked #3 in the nation the same percent increase for minority students.

“As a seasoned college professor and representative on the State School Board, I fully support the efforts of A+ College Ready in increasing access to quality instruction for all Alabama students,” said Dr. Cynthia McCarty, elected to the Alabama State Board of Education in 2014 to represent District 06. “With nine days of intensely rigorous annual professional development expected of participating AP teachers, the teachers are certainly well prepared to provide challenging, college-level environments for students, no matter the setting or size of the school.”

“Classrooms in Albertville, Loachapoka, or Baldwin County, for example, will all require the same level of rigor and analysis,” McCarty continued. “With over 20,000 of 2016’s seniors qualifying for college credit, Alabama high school seniors will be able to save money and time as they transition to college. And students are certainly more prepared for the demands of college coursework by having mastered AP courses.”

The 10 schools joining the ALSDE/A+ College Ready Program for Cohort XI are:

“As Principal of Anniston High School, I believe that our partnership with A+ College Ready will result in a greater number of our students not only applying to the college of their choice, but also being prepared for the rigors of college level coursework,” said Charles D. Gregory Sr., Ed.S., the Principal for Anniston High School. “The built-in rigor of the curriculum coupled with the excellent professional development our teachers have and will continue to receive, will undoubtedly facilitate student success. We are elated to be accepted into Cohort XI.”

“The chance to improve instruction and raise the rigor with the training and support afforded by A+ College Ready can only benefit our students,” said AJ Buckner, Leader of Teaching and Learning for the Jackson County School District. “North Jackson, Bridgeport Middle, Hollywood, and Stevenson Middle partnering together will carry their students to even greater academic heights as their teachers train and plan together. The future is brighter in Jackson County. “

In the 2017-18 school year, the A+ College Ready AP Initiative will support 170 school“We are honored for the opportunity to participate in the A+ College Ready grant,” said Ron Snell, Principal at TR Miller High School. TR Miller is one of the new schools joining the ALSDE/A+ College Ready Program this fall. Snell went on to say, “Our goal is to expand opportunities for and enable all students to take and succeed in a challenging curriculum regardless of demographics. This fits perfectly with the goals for the A+ College Ready organization.

“With the great support from A+ for both teachers and students, there will be a comprehensive, rigorous program in grades 6 – 10, and AP courses in multiple content areas to meet the needs of our students beginning in the 2017-18 school year,” said Elisabeth Davis, superintendent of Eufaula City Schools.

In addition, 8 schools were selected to participate as Pipeline Schools. These schools will institute an aggressive training program designed to increase the number of students enrolled and succeeding in rigorous coursework in an effort to prepare for a full implementation of Advanced Placement courses the following year:

For the 2018-19 school year, the 18 selected high schools are collectively projected to accomplish the following goals:

• Implement over 80 AP courses in math, science, English, social studies, and computer science
• Add over 2100 new enrollments to the AP courses listed above
• Reach a goal of students earning over 800 new qualifying scores on AP exams in these courses in May, 2018
• Implement a rigorous curricula in grade 6-11 that will better prepare more students to succeed in Advanced Placement and to prepare ALL STUDENTS to succeed in whatever pathway they choose following high school graduation

The ALSDE / A+ College Ready Program provides extensive training and support for teachers and students in high school and middle school. For teachers this includes:

• Weeklong summer training institutes
• Additional days of professional development throughout the year
• Reach a goal of students earning over 800 new qualifying scores on AP exams in these courses in May, 2018
• Ongoing support and coaching from expert content directors and managers
• Financial stipends based on academic results
• Funding for equipment infrastructure to implement AP and A+ College Ready developed curricular frameworks. These frameworks include the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI’s) Laying the Foundation lessons for math, science, and English.

AP students participate in Saturday study sessions led by experienced master teachers, have reduced exam fees, and can earn financial incentives based on academic success.

A+ College Ready, a division of the A+ Education Partnership, was created with a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) in 2008 to implement a proven college-readiness and Advanced Placement Initiative in public schools throughout Alabama. Key leadership involved in launching and supporting A+ College Ready included the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, the Alabama Power Foundation, The Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, Regions Financial Corporation, Boeing and ExxonMobil Corporation. The Alabama State Legislature, with additional support from the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, the Department of Defense and Code.org, now fund the A+ College Ready Program so the program can continue to thrive.

*Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.