Innovative Strategies to Improve AP Student Participation and Performance
2010 College Board ForumBaltimore County Public Schools
Dr. Joe A. Hairston, SuperintendentOctober 28, 2010
Your AP Questions
Please write questions you have relative
to this workshop.
Place the questions on the Parking Lot
Charts on the wall.
Objectives
To present system and school-based strategies relative to socio-economic, gender, and ethnic factors to improve Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance.
To provide opportunities for participants to share effective AP strategies.
About Baltimore County Public Schools. . .
BCPS wraps around but does not include Baltimore City. With almost 800,000 residents, Baltimore County is diverse with residents living in suburban, rural, and urban neighborhoods reflecting the nation’s blend of cultures and backgrounds.
About Baltimore County Public Schools - An Overview
27th largest school system in the U.S.103, 832 students 39.3% eligible for free/reduced meals52.2% minority enrollment3.5% English Language Learners173 schools, and programs, and centers
About Baltimore County Public Schools-An Overview
More than 7,400 graduates
88% of graduates immediately pursue
higher education
88.4 million in scholarships reported by 2010 graduates
Superintendent’s Message
Blueprint for Progress
Performance Goal 1
Improving achievement for all
Blueprint for Progress
Performance IndicatorsAll high schools will meet or exceed the
national average of 7.0% participation rate on the AP examinations. (1.13)
All high schools will have at least 70% of their students who take AP exams achieve passing scores. (1.14)
Challenges to Access and Rigor
Changing demographics
Cultural differences
Gender issues
Varied learning styles and preferences
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Begin with systemwide standards and high expectations (Blueprint for Progress).
Align standards with rigorous curriculum.
Develop English and math SAT readiness course Sequence.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Eliminate low level courses.
Establish partnership with College Board
(2000)
Use College Board standards to update rigorous curriculum.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Align disaggregated data to instructional skills (PSAT/SOAS).
Use BCPS’ Cognos Data WarehouseCollaborate with curriculum and
instruction; research, accountability, and assessment; professional development; and AVID/College Board office staffs.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Set a minimum number of AP courses each high school is expected to offer. (BCPS’ standard, 12 AP courses).
Identify highly qualified AP teachers.
Empower AP school coordinators’ leadership at school sites.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Coordinate annual 5-day College Board AP Summer Institute-Goucher College.
Schedule parallel AP courses with gifted and talented (GT) courses.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Establish AP review course six weeks before AP exam.
Plan AP Summer Bridge Programs.
Use AP Potential Roster-early identification.
BCPS’ Systemic Approaches
Provide customized support to targeted schools.
Facilitate continuous systemic professional development.
(2010-2011 BCPS and College Board Professional Development Calendar)
AP Results
Multi - year continuous improved AP participation and performance (See Chart.)
2009-20108.1% participation increase with a total of
9,750 students 4.9 % performance increase with a total of
6, 475 students having AP scores of 3-5.
AP Results
Average of 17 AP courses at each high school
One-third of all high schools offer 20 or more AP courses
AP Mathematics StrategiesOverlea High School
BCPS’ mathematics curriculum
Classroom instructional support
AP Mathematics StrategiesOverlea High School
Progress from standard to AP courses
Coordinate Saturday AP instructional support
Facilitate AP teacher network groups
AP Mathematics StrategiesOverlea High School
Student Cohort
Technology Infusion-Wikis
Ed-Line
Changing the Culture-One School’s Story Chesapeake High School
Shift to student driven course offerings.
Eliminate class size as AP enrollment factor.
Change from school counselor as AP coordinator to content specific teacher.
Adjust limits on AP exam participation to inviting all students who are academically ready to participate.
Changing the Culture-One School’s StoryChesapeake High School
Set high expectations for teachers.
Involve department chairpersons and leadership team members in the planning and delivery of the professional development process.
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
Total Students enrolled
in AP Courses
20 84 151 184 232
Total possible
AP Exams Taken
44 123 240 292 415
Participation
Changing the Culture-One School’s Story Chesapeake High School
School Year 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010
Grades of 3, 4 or 5 10 8 25 42
Achievement
Changing the Culture-One School’s Story Chesapeake High School
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
Total AP Courses Offered
6 9 13 16 19
Course Offerings
Changing the Culture-One School’s Story Chesapeake High School
At Chesapeake High School, all really means ALL:• ALL students
• ALL faculty
Change is a total school effort.
Changing the Culture-One School’s Story Chesapeake High School
Pause-Initiating Your AP Plan
In the table group, share some AP strategies you learned and/or effective strategies your school or school system uses. (10 minutes)
Pause-Initiating Your AP Plan
Review sample school and teacher AP Improvement Plans.
Agree upon 2 unique and effective AP strategies you shared in your table group.
Write the strategies on the AP Improvement Template.
One person reports for the table group.
Increasing AP Access StrategiesDulaney High School
School Goal:
Access for all in rigorous courses All students taking one AP by Grade 12
Data shows 30.3% of total school population took one or more AP exams.
Only 10.3% African American students took one or more AP exams.
Increasing AP Access StrategiesDulaney High School
Target Populations
African AmericansGrade 9 Students
Strategies for Creating a Rigorous Learning Environment for All
Organize a One Academic Environment for Grade 9 & 10 English and social studies classes.
Register students for standard or honors and assign to the same class.
Offer AP courses to Grade 9 and 10 students: AP Biology, AP World History, and AP Psychology.
One Academic EnvironmentDulaney High School
Promote diversity within each class.
Encourage teachers to learn and use differentiated instruction.
One Academic EnvironmentDulaney High School
ImplementationLocate Grade 9 and 10 content specific
classes in a designated hall.Provide a common lunch time for
planning.Conference with parents to determine
students’ academic levels.
Providing Student Support
Write-Accel/Excel Grants.
Hire college student tutors.
Recruit retired teachers as volunteers.
Organize parent committees to support academics.
Preparing Grade 8 Students for AP Biology
How do students become eligible?
Maryland State Assessments Scores and teachers’ recommendations
Interviews with middle school students
Preparing Grade 8 Students for AP Biology
How are students and families prepared?Schedule a parent informational meeting
during Grade 8 students’ second semester
Notify students and parents of acceptance.
Begin one week Bridge Course during the summer.
Student Success with AP Biology in Grade 9
AP pass rates over 4 years. . . . .
Fifty-four students scored 5’s
Seven students scored 4’s
Improving AP Success for African American Males-Woodlawn High School
Initiate in 2009-2010, Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) African American Male Initiative, Grade 9 class.
Improving AP Success for African American Males
Implement AVID curriculum.Writing skillsTime management skillsOrganizational skillsStudy skillsSpeaking skills
Improving AP Success for African American Males
Infuse “culturally relevant teaching” components in the lessonEstablishing inclusionDeveloping a positive attitudeEnhancing meaningEngendering competence
Ginsberg, M., Wlodkowski, R.J. (2000). A motivational framework for culturally responsive teaching: Creating highly motivational classrooms for all students (Chapter 4) . John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Improving AP Success for African American Males
Support SystemsAfrican American male AVID teacher:
academic coach and mentorCollege tutorsCollege visitsParent meetingsBusiness and community speakers and role
models
Improving AP Success for African American Males - Data Results
Improving AP Success for African American Males-Data Results
GPA 2.3
Attendance 97.6%
AAMI Grade 10 Enrollment 23
Improving AP Success for African American Males-Data Results
Grade 10 Cohort - AP Enrollment 5
Grade 10 Cohort - GT Enrollment 10
Grade 10 Cohort – Honors Classes 17
Questions and Answers
How can we help you?
References and Resources
www.collegeboard.comhttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-
12/assessment/ap/build (Building your AP program)
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/assessment/ap/equity Ensuring equity access to AP at your school)
References and Resources
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/assessment/ap/plan/motivating (How to get students excited about AP courses and exams)
AP Release Exams
AP Presenters
Please contact us!
Janine Holmes, [email protected], Chesapeake High School Nancy Brajevich, [email protected], Overlea High School Kelly Smith, [email protected], Dulaney High School Scott Audlin, [email protected], Dulaney High School James Martin, [email protected], Woodlawn High School Timothy Hayden, [email protected], Office of School Counseling
Dr. Jessie Douglas, [email protected], AVID/College Board office