Governor Bentley congratulated the AP students and teachers saying, “Alabama students are succeeding in AP classes at unprecedented rates. A+ College Ready is a good investment that is preparing our students for college-level courses and career. It is a good day in Alabama when we see so many of our students from different backgrounds succeeding in AP courses.”
The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and A+ College Ready partner in implementing the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program, which provides intensive professional development and ongoing support for teachers and students. Results show that program schools achieve an average 95% increase in passing Advanced Placement (AP) scores in their first year of participation – 14 times greater than the national average.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice said, “We are proud to be a part of the successful AP program, which has resulted in thousands of students across the state being offered opportunity and access to academically challenging and inspiring courses. We feel strongly that even more students will take advantage of AP classes and continue to improve and achieve.”
Preston Bolt, chair of the A+ Board, introduced educators and students from four high schools that achieved excellent results in their first year in the program: Excel High School in Monroe County, Guntersville High School in Guntersville City, Opp High School in Opp City and Sardis High School in Etowah County. They joined Dr. Bice for a panel discussion centered on what participation in the AP program means to them and how it has affected the culture of their school.
The Alabama Legislature and ALSDE now provide significant funds for the AP Initiative, building on initial investments from the private sector, including the National Math and Science Initiative, Alabama Power Foundation, Regions Inc., Boeing and ExxonMobil, along with other corporations, foundations and individual donors across the state.
In 2014-15, The ALSDE/A+ College Ready AP Initiative will support 118 schools in 54 districts. The program elements include open enrollment in AP math, science and English classes, increased time on task for students, intensive teacher training, support from master teachers, and stipends for teachers and students. The AP Initiative works closely with the Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) to assist all Alabama students in meeting the state’s College and Career Ready Standards.
*Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.
** For the 39 states with at least 6000 minority students.
For more information, contact:
Mary Boehm — 205-257-5350 (office) or 205-541-2833 (cell), [email protected]
Andrew Mitchell – 205-257-5351, [email protected]
Jill West — 334-279-1886, [email protected]
