Alabama State Department of Education AP Initiative/A+ College Ready Parent Information

WHAT IS A+ COLLEGE READY? 2

A+ College Ready is A non profit organization that is a division of the A+ Education Partnership The managing partner of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) grant in the state of Alabama overseeing the Advanced Placement Training & Incentive Program (APTIP) The manager of the $13.2 million dollar, five year, NMSI grant as well as the matching public and private funds needed to secure the grant dollars A proud partner of the State Department of Education in advancing participation & success in advanced placement 3

The Goals of Opp HS and the SDE/A+ College Ready AP Training & Incentive Program 1.Increase the number of students enrolled in math, science and English 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 pursuing college degrees and careers in math and science 4

Advanced Placement Initiative Quick Facts, Fall Program Schools – 21 of these schools are new schools in Cohort VI and include Foley High School 30 Partner Schools that have completed at least 3 years in the grant program 11 Pipeline Schools that are improving their preparatory courses before aggressively adding AP courses 5

Advanced Placement Initiative Quick Facts, Fall 2013 Total of 108 Schools in 49 School Districts in the initiative Will support 560 Advanced Placement Math, Science, and English Teachers, Foley High Will serve 20,000+ Advanced Placement Math, Science, and English Students, estimated Foley HS 6

SDE/A+ COLLEGE READY AP INITIATIVE SUCCESS 7

8 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 9 A+CR

AP Math, Science & English Qualifying Scores per 1,000 Jrs./Srs. 10

How does Foley High School benefit from the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive (APTIP) Program? 11

Elements of the APTIP Program 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.

AP AND THE COST OF COLLEGE 13

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. 14

WHY IS THIS INITIATIVE IMPORTANT AT FOLEY HIGH SCHOOL? 15

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results LANGUAGE Srs. Scoring Proficient 91% 16

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results LANGUAGE Seniors Scoring Proficient 91% Current Sophomores PLAN Test Results LANGUAGE Sophomores Meeting College Readiness Benchmark 60% 17

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results READING Seniors Scoring Proficient 93% 18

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results READING Seniors Scoring Proficient 93% Current Sophomores PLAN Test Results READING Sophomores Meeting College Readiness Benchmark 34% 19

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results MATH Seniors Scoring Proficient 95% 20

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results MATH Seniors Scoring Proficient 95% Current Sophomores PLAN Test Results MATH Sophomores Meeting College Readiness Benchmark 13% 21

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results SCIENCE Seniors Scoring Proficient 99% 22

Foley High School Data 2012 Graduating Class Alabama HS Graduation Exam Results SCIENCE Seniors Scoring Proficient 99% Current Sophomores PLAN Test Results SCIENCE Sophomores Meeting College Readiness Benchmark 11% 23

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WHAT CAN PARENTS AND STUDENTS EXPECT FROM AN AP COURSE? 25

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 26

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 27

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. 29

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Contact Information Mary Boehm, President Tammy Dunn, Program Director