Alabama State Department of Education & A+ College Ready Program A College Readiness and AP Initiative Parent Meeting

Goals of the ALSDE/A+ College Ready College Readiness and AP Program 1.Increase the number of students enrolled in math, science, English and Social Studies Advanced Placement courses 2.Increase the number of students enrolled in rigorous preparatory courses to increase the pipeline of students prepared for AP. 3.Increase the number of students making qualifying scores in math, science, and English advanced placement courses 4.Increase the number of students successfully pursuing college degrees 2

Statewide Impact From 2008 – 2014: Alabama ranks #1 among all 50 states in % increase in students earning qualifying scores on Math, Science & English (MSE) Exams Alabama ranks #1 among all 50 states in % increase in minority students earning qualifying scores on Math, Science & English (MSE) Exams Over 60,000 students in ALSDE/A+ College Ready schools earned 20,000 qualifying scores in MSE potentially saving Alabama families in excess of $36 Million in college tuition costs* * Based on avg cost of $1806 for 3 hours of credit at UA and Auburn 3

Percent Increases in AP Math, Science, & English Qualifying Scores – All Students Source: NMSI & College Board 4

Percent Increases in AP Math, Science, & English Qualifying Scores – Minority Students Source: NMSI & College Board 5

1 Year Percent Increases in AP Math, Science, & English Qualifying Scores – All Students 6

Source: NMSI & College Board Increases in AP Math, Science, & English Qualifying Scores per 1000 Juniors and Seniors 7

How do high school students, teachers and parents benefit from the ALSDE/A+ College Ready College Readiness and AP Program? 8

ALSDE/A+ College Ready Program Elements 9

WHY ARE RIGOROUS COURSES IN GRADES 6-10 IMPORTANT? 10

Build a Pipeline Laying the Foundation- Infused Courses Implemented in Grades 6-10 will build a pipeline of students who are better prepared for the rigor of College and Advanced Placement Courses 11

“A recent College Board ® study showed that students who scored 3 or higher on four popular AP exams earned higher first year GPAs, were more likely to continue on to a second year of college, and were more likely to attend selective institutions, on average, than students with comparable SAT ® scores and high school GPAs who did not take AP. Even students who scored a 1 or 2 on an AP Exam showed higher retention rates into their second year of college than non-AP students, and they were more likely to attend selective institutions.” 12 Why take Advanced Placement courses ?

Alabama Growth in AP Participation & Success 13 1,710 2,398 3,872 4,258 3,103 4,181 8,584 9,852 More Alabama graduates are succeeding on AP exams today than took them in

14 Source: Gonzalez, E. O’Connor, K. & Miles, J. (2000). How well do AP students perform on the TIMSS Advanced Mathematics & Physics Tests? Chestnut Hill, MA: The International Study Center, Lunch School of Education, Boston College. American Students who make a qualifying score in the AP Physics course outperform all of their international peers

15 Source: Gonzalez, E. O’Connor, K. & Miles, J. (2000). How well do AP students perform on the TIMSS Advanced Mathematics & Physics Tests? Chestnut Hill, MA: The International Study Center, Lunch School of Education, Boston College. American Students who take an AP Calculus course outperform all of their international peers

16 Source: 2011 College Board AP Report to the Nation

AP AND THE COST OF COLLEGE 17

AP students are more likely to graduate from college in 4 years, which only 26.5% of U. S. public college students achieve. The average cost of a 4 year public institution in Alabama is $18,000 for every year, in state. If a student earns a qualifying score in an AP course and receives college credit, the family saves $1,771 which is the average cost of a 3 hour course at Alabama & Auburn AP helps students qualify for precious college scholarship dollars. 31% of colleges use AP as a criterion when determining scholarship recipients. Colleges use AP to place students in appropriate level courses. 18

WHAT CAN PARENTS AND STUDENTS EXPECT FROM AN AP COURSE? 19

What can I expect? Rigor, rigor, rigor—your student should be challenged and held to high academic expectations Support, support, support from trained teachers who are supported by A+ College Ready Students and teachers will be expected to work hard 20

What can I expect? Early in the year grades may dip but will improve as students adjust to increased rigor and expectations The results for the students, the teachers, and the school will be worth the hard work 21

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS?

For Students Get prepared for advanced placement courses by registering for rigorous preparatory courses. Enroll in AP courses where you have aptitude & interest. Plan to work hard! Colleges are depending less upon GPA and more upon standardized measures such as ACT, SAT, and Advanced Placement tests for acceptance and for scholarships. Students need to be in the most rigorous high school courses based on their abilities. Competing in a global marketplace begins now. 23

Contact Information: Mary Boehm, President Teri Thompson, Chief Program Director