04/12/231

Changing the Academic Culture by Opening Access

to the Advanced Placement Program

Patricia Mucenski, MAEd, LCPC-C, NCC

NOSCA Conference, Houston, TX

4-13-08

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Session Objectives• To provide data that supports efforts

of increasing participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses through the elimination of barriers &/or other restrictions

• To demonstrate through the use of data and testimonials how increasing participation in AP courses prompts students to increase rigor in all classes

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Learning Outcomes• Strategies and best practices for

enrolling and supporting students in rigorous courses

• Utilizing data and material presented for advocacy of open-access in all school districts

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Lisbon High School Graduation Requirements

• 4 years of English• 3 years of math (including Algebra I)• 3 years of science (including Biology & Chemistry)• 3 years of history• 1 year of Art• ½ year of Music• ½ year of Computer• 2 years of Wellness (PE and Health)• 3 years of a World Language (starting with YOG

2010)• Elective credits for a total of 24 overall high school

credits

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Life before Open Access

• In 2002-2003 a total of 16 students took at least one AP course (18 exams)

AP English Literature and CompositionAP Studio Art 3-D

• 11 students in 2003-2004 (11 exams)AP English Literature and CompositionAP Studio Art 3-D

• 36 students in 2004-2005 (43 exams)AP U.S. History, AP Biology, and AP Calculus

AB started

• 32 students in 2005-2006 (45 exams)

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What happened in 2005-2006?

• National Governor’s Association Grant– This grant was awarded to six (6) states,

including Maine to improve disadvantaged students' access to, and success in, college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses.

– Seven (7) school districts, including Lisbon High School, were funded through this grant beginning in the 2006-2007 year.

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Specifics…In order to receivefunding, Lisbon High School had to:

1) expand upon its AP Program AND

2) eliminate all barriers to AP Courses

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Additions for 2006-2007

• AP European History• AP French Language• Expansion of other

AP courses by student selection (i.e. courses that increased in student enrollment)

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Trashed (or Recycled back to

mulch)• Essays to demonstrate commitment and competency

• Teacher recommendations as sole determinations

• Tracking (once college prep = never honors)

• Laziness as a ticket out of “hard” classes

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Our 1st Open Access Year

• In the year 2006-2007, 57 students took at least one AP course– 79 exams in all

• That is a student increase of 78.1% and an exam increase of 71.7%

04/12/2312

Magic Wands Anyone?

PROS

1. Increased enrollment

2. Increased confidence

3. Increased material, professional development, and other support

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT

1.Organization

2.Mentoring

3. Red Tape (timeline for receipt of materials, etc)

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The one constant is change!

2007-2008

• AP French Language is dropped

• AP Statistics is added

• And oh how our course enrollment grows!

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Current Statistics

• In 2007-2008, 85 students are taking at least one AP course– 141 exams ordered

for May

• That is a student increase of 49.1% and an exam increase of 78.4%

04/12/2315

The importance of the road less traveled

• Students have a better understanding of college-level courses

• The financial and professional support of the grant has increased technological support, teacher knowledge, and supplies/materials that are used vertically and across curriculums

04/12/2316

Supportive Research

• In the largest study ever of the impact of AP on college success, which looked at 222,289 students from all backgrounds attending a wide range of Texas universities, the researchers said they found “strong evidence of benefits to students who participate in both AP courses and exams in terms of higher GPAs, credit hours earned and four-year graduation rates.”

Matthew, Jay (2007, January 19). Studies Find Benefits to Advanced Placement Courses. Retrieved April 3,2008, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012801238.html

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A little more…• A separate University of Texas study

of 24,941 students said those who used their AP credits to take more advanced courses in college had better grades in those courses than similar students who first took college introductory courses instead of AP in 10 subjects.

Matthew, Jay (2007, January 19). Studies Find Benefits to Advanced Placement Courses. Retrieved April 3,2008, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012801238.html

04/12/2318

Student Opinions Regarding AP at Lisbon

High School

* 80 out of the 85 students in the Advanced Placement Program completed this survey

04/12/2319

Student Opinions Continued

* 80 out of the 85 students in the Advanced Placement Program completed this survey

04/12/2320

Post-secondary Plans for the 2008 and 2009

Graduating Classes

* 80 out of the 85 students in the Advanced Placement Program completed this survey

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Impact on Non-AP Courses

• The Open-Access of the AP Program has also allowed Open-Access to non-AP classes, prompting a push for students to take more rigorous coursework, regardless of the academic level.

• The following graphs depict the increase in some of our math, English, history, and science classes. Keep in mind that Open-Access officially began in 2006-2007 and is reviewed every year for equity and accuracy across each curriculum.

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How are we doing all this?

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Strategies to Increase Enrollment2007-2008

• Use of AP Potential to identify rising juniors and seniors for AP courses

• Entering teacher recommendations prior to student course selection

• Individual student meetings for course selections

• Parental consent requirement to drop AP course(s) from course selection

• More organized summer assistance for courses requiring summer work

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Improvement of Strategies for

2008-2009• 30 minute Advocacy Meeting for all sophomores and juniors to discuss AP Program and how choosing more rigorous courses can assist with post-secondary plans

• Parental consent needed for students to drop any course selection in math, science, history, English, or World Language that go beyond the minimum graduation requirements

• AP Celebration for all current and upcoming students and parents

04/12/2330

Our support system• “It is always easier to aim high and course-

correct if needed than to try to jump up a level after the course begins.”

• If a course correction is needed, teachers are willing to work with the grades and guidance will make a scheduling change to assist in the correction.

• Teachers are willing to help students and monitor their progress to ensure that if course corrections are needed, they occur in a timely fashion.

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And for our “reluctant ones…”

• Teacher-student meetings• Before, during, and/or

after-school tutoring• In-school communication

(teacher, student, guidance, administration)

• Communication with parents regarding importance of course rigor

• The inability to drop course if ability and potential is there (parent consent to drop trumps this tactic)

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Why support Open-Access?

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Students of course!

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Questions or Comments?

04/12/2336

Contact Information

Patti MucenskiLisbon High School

2 Sugg DriveLisbon Falls, ME 04252

(207) 353-3030, ext. 2007Pmucenski@union30.org