ALSDE/A+ College Ready Parent Information

What is the ALSDE/A+ College Ready AP Initiative? 2

A+ College Ready and Thompson HS Partnership A non profit organization that is a division of the A+ Education Partnership A managing partner of the ALSDE & Advanced Placement Training & Incentive Program $13.2 million dollar, five year, NMSI grant as well as the matching public and private funds needed to secure the grant dollars 3

The Goals of Thompson High School & A+ College Ready Increase the number of students enrolled in math, science and English advanced placement courses Increase the number of students making qualifying scores in math, science, and English advanced placement courses Increase the number of students pursuing college degrees and careers in math and science 4

Currently, A+ College Ready Is in 118 schools in 54 districts throughout the state of Alabama Supports 630 Advanced Placement Math, Science, and English Teachers Serves 22,000+ Advanced Placement Math, Science, and English Enrollments 5

6 Growth in AP MSE Qualifying Scores A+ College Ready Schools far outpaces the U.S.

Growth in Minority AP Math, Science & English Qualifying Scores in A+ College Ready Schools far outpaces the Nation 7 A+CR

AP Math, Science & English Qualifying Scores per 1,000 Jrs./Srs. 8

AP Minority Math, Science & English qualifying scores per 1,000 Minority Jrs./Srs. 9

How does Thompson HS benefit from the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program? 10

Elements of the ALSDE/A+ College Ready AP Initiative Teacher Support: Comprehensive teacher training including content-focused professional development Student Support: Content specific study sessions providing 18 hours of additional instruction per content area Program Management: Letter of agreement between A+ College Ready and schools establishing targets for AP participation and performance. Content support, training, and logistical support provided to teachers, students and schools. Awards: Student incentives and teacher stipends tied to exam success and student achievement.

Why Advanced Placement? 12

“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.” 13 Why Advanced Placement?

Students are going to be competing against peers who have had advanced placement preparation. In 2002, there were 3,103 AP exams GIVEN in Alabama with 1,710 qualifying scores. In 2012, there were 9,852 AP exams GIVEN in Alabama with 4,258 qualifying scores. In 2012 there were more QUALIFYING SCORES than tests taken in Why Advanced Placement?

COLLEGE SUCCESS MEASURED BY GRADE POINT AVERAGE

16 Source: 2011 College Board AP Report to the Nation College Success

AP AND THE COST OF COLLEGE 17

AP & the Cost of College 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 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 A PARENT EXPECT FROM AN AP COURSE? 19

What can a parent expect? Rigor, rigor, rigor Balanced by support, support, support Students and teachers will be expected to work hard 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 20

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. 22

Contact Information Mary Boehm, President