strategies to increase the number of minority students in ap classes breaking the color barrier
TRANSCRIPT
How important is AP?
• The American Civil Liberties Union recently filed a lawsuit in California charging that ethnic minority and disadvantaged students whose high schools offer few or no AP courses are at a disadvantage in competing for university admissions with students who have greater access to AP offerings
• 82% of California’s schools offer AP classes• The average for all U.S. high schools is 60 percent• There is growing concern about inadequate availability of
AP classes and other college-credit academic programs in this state, especially for minority, low-income and rural students.
AP and College Success
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.Source: Camara, Wayne (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.
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No AP
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2+ AP
Stand out in the college Stand out in the college admissions processadmissions process
“One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations.”
—William R. FitzsimmonsDean of Admissions, Harvard University
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.
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2001 Exam
White
Asian
AfricanAmerican
Hispanic
Other
Who is taking the AP Exam?Who is taking the AP Exam?
Who is teaching AP courses?Who is teaching AP courses?
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Ethnicity of teachers
White
AfricanAmerican
Asian/PacificIslander
Hispanic
Barriers to Success
• “Tracking” and early identification as AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted)
• Education level of parents
• Socioeconomic factors
• Peer Pressure
What worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
• Got rid of prerequisites
• Since 1995, the number of African American students enrolled in AP courses has tripled
What did Florida do?
• Formed a $55 million partnership with the College Board
• Provided college prep courses in inner city and low-come community centers, churches and organizations such as the Urban League
• Trained 16,000 teachers across the state on how to recruit minority students to take AP classes and go to college
• Paid for the AP exam
What classes are Students taking?
At JHS, Advanced College Prep courses (AP, Community College, and
Distance Learning) account for only 2% of the total
courses
In Onslow County, Advanced College Prep courses (AP,
Community College, and
Distance Learning) account for only 1% of the total
courses
What classes are Students taking?
At JHS, Career and Technical
courses account for 16% of the total
courses
In Onslow County, Career and
Technical courses account for 18% of the total courses
Change InitiativeChange Initiative:Jacksonville High School
Social Studies Department
Recruit students for an AP course that is a mirror reflection of the
school’s population
Steps Involved:
• Administrative approval and support
• Recruit students from ALL (not just Honors) US and World History classes
• Parent/Student Information meeting
• Create Weekly Peer Support Group
• Enroll students