african american males are equally intelligent: increasing academic rigor through advanced placement...

African American Males Are Equally Intelligent: Increasing Academic Rigor

Through Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

James M. Thompson, PhD

AP Science Teacher Specialist

Mary Gay Taylor, NBCT

AP English/Language Arts Teacher Specialist

Abstract

• This workshop will discuss the advantages of African American males enrolled into rigorous courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP). Research has demonstrated that these students are more likely to do well and graduate high school. Additionally, AP students increase their opportunities to earn college scholarships and graduate college in four years. Workshop participants will acquire knowledge that will encourage African American males to accept the challenge of academic rigor, which can help to minimize the academic achievement gap.

Staggering Statistics

• Lancaster County School District – 5th highest dropout rate (38%) in South Carolina

• Minority Students – 2nd highest dropout rate in South Carolina

• South Carolina ranks last in nation in SAT scores

• Lancaster County School District is below the state average in SAT scores

Possible Solutions

• Encourage students to enroll into rigorous courses beginning in middle school and through high school

• Promote a non-threatening learning environment that encourages all students to “love school”

• Encourage students to excel in all of their classes, graduate high school, and enter college

Advanced Placement Initiative Program

There are three goals:

• Increase academic performance for students, especially minority and low-income students at the target schools and relative to pre-AP and AP coursework.

• Provide teachers with the skills to teach to high standards while using a variety of strategies to develop higher order thinking skills.

• Increase student, parent, and community awareness of the importance of AP coursework.

AP Program Success

2006-2007 2007-2008 Percent Increase

Number of AP Courses Offered

5 9 180%

Number of participants

105 134 127%

Number of low income students

14 50 357%

AP tests taken

105 111 106%

AP Course Offerings

• Biology

• Calculus

• Chemistry

• English

• French

• U.S. Government

• History

• Macro-economics

• Micro-economics

• Psychology

• Art

Some AP courses are offered online through Apex Learning.

AP Program Success

School Total Number of AP tests taken in May 2007

Total Number of AP tests taken in May 2007 with a Score of 3 or higher

Total number of students enrolled in the 12th grade during the 2006-2007 school year

Lancaster High

80 47 458

Andrew Jackson High

31 11 130

Did you know . . .

• If you earn a high school diploma, you’re likely to earn $7,000 more annually than students who don’t complete high school.

• But if you earn a bachelor’s degree in college, you’re likely to earn $22,000more annually.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2000

Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses give you a head start on college.

Taking the end-of-course AP Exam sends a powerful message to colleges and universities that a student is ready for them, and can enable students to gain admission, college credit, and placement into advanced courses.

Prepare Now to Succeed in College

A 1999 U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college:

Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school—and AP courses in particular.

Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.

Over 50% of college freshmen who receive the

LIFE scholarship lose it after the first year!

Students who take AP courses and score 3,4, or 5 have a

28-33% better chance of graduating from college.

Even those who make less than 3 have a 22% better chance of

graduating from college!

It’s all about accepting the challenge of a rigorous course!

What our students are saying:

“AP courses are a blessing. Having AP credit when you enter college lightens your workload tremendously. I wish that I had had the opportunity to take more AP courses like so many of my college classmates who are able to take fewer hours in college each semester than me.”

Adrian Mood 2006 LHS Graduate Howard University Student

AP Equity Policy Statement:

“All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be considered for admission to AP courses. The Board encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the AP Program. Schools should make every effort to ensure that their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population.”

Lack of Participation

In general, some African American males do not participate in AP courses for various reasons and misconceptions, such as

• Must be offered an invitation to take AP courses

• A fee to take AP courses

• “Uncool” to excel in rigorous courses

• Teachers’ failure to encourage minority students

• Students are not preparing for AP courses as early as in middle school.

WE must help to “eliminate the barriers” that are preventing African American males from taking full advantage of AP courses.

Eliminating the Barriers

Currently, Lancaster County School District has taken various measures to “eliminate the barriers.”

• AP Incentive Grant Project

• After-school tutorial lab and summer programs

• Closing the Achievement Gap Steering Committee

• Dedicated and compassionate school administrators and teachers

• Partnerships with Partners for Youth, USCL, and Adopt A Leader

What’s Next…

As a parent/guardian, you can inquire on the following:

• High school course guide (December)

• AP course work at the 2009-2010 individual graduation plan conferences for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students

• Waiver form option for preHonors/preAP courses in middle school (if students are not registered for courses designed to prepare them for AP level coursework)

Question and Answer Session

AP Teacher Specialists

Mary Gay Taylor, NBCT

AP English/Language Arts

Teacher Specialist

Andrew Jackson High School

mgtaylor@lcsd.k12.sc.us

(803) 475-2381

James M. Thompson, PhD

AP Science Teacher Specialist

Andrew Jackson High School

jmthomps@lcsd.k12.sc.us

(803) 475-2381

Jo Ann Dorsey, NBCT

AP Math Teacher Specialist

Lancaster High School

jdorsey@lcsd.k12.sc.us

(803) 283-2001

For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact one of the AP Teacher Specialists at the following: