We are proud to have all five of our high schools involved in the A+ College Ready AP Grant Program.
A+ College Ready
News release 10/7/14 on Alabama's increasing AP courses and qualifying scores
AL.com story 9/4/14 about Alabama's bragging rights through AP courses
The Impact of A+ College Ready:
Cohort I: In the first year of the program, the 12 pioneer schools experienced an 81% increase in Math science and English Qualifying Scores. After a second year of participation in the initiative, the combined two-year increase in MSE Qualifying Scores for these schools was 114.5% compared to a national average of 13.6%. This contributed to a state increase of 48.2%, far exceeding the national average. Even more impressive were the results for minorities, which saw a 142.7% increase over two years, contributing to the states 86.3% increase - compared to the national average of 27.7%.
Cohort II: In the second year of the program, an additional 11 schools participated in the program. Cohort II schools produced a 132% increase in AP MSE Qualifying scores in their first year, going from 342 Qualifying Scores to 794. Minority students outperformed the rest of the group with a 143% increase in Qualifying Scores as compared to a national minority increase of 13%
Cohort III: 20 additional schools began participating in the program in the 2010 – 2011 school year. In the first year of participation in the initiative, Cohort III saw a 111% increase in AP MSE Qualifying Scores, compared to 8% nationally. Minority students had an impressive 258% increase in AP MSE Qualifying Scores, compared to 17% in the nation.
Cohort IV: 21 new schools started the A+ College Ready Program in the 2011-2012 school year. In the first year of participation in the program, Cohort IV saw a 83% increase in AP MSE Qualifying Scores, compared to 8% in the nation. Minority students had a 49% increase in year 1, compared to 13% in the nation.
Cohort V: Starting their first year in the program in 2012-2013, Cohort V brought an additional 12 schools to the A+ College Ready program. First year growth for Cohort V in AP MSE Qualifying Scores was an impressive 119%, compared to 7% in the nation. Minority students in Cohort V achieved a record-setting 260% increase in AP MSE Qualifying Scores.
Cohort VI: In the 2013-2014 School year, 21 new schools joined the A+ College Ready Program. After their first year, Cohort VI schools saw an increase in AP MSE Qualifying Scores of 81%. Over the same time period, the nation saw a 5% increase. Minority students in Cohort VI saw an AP MSE Qualifying Score growth of 67%, compared to 10% in the nation.
Cohort VII: A+ College Ready is excited to announce that 21 new schools have joined our program for the 2014-2015 school year. These schools were announced at a State Board of Education Meeting recently.
Our Ongoing Commitment
The achievements and growth of the program are made possible in part by the ability of A+ College Ready to raise funds to meet the match requirements set forth by NMS in the original grant. To date, we have successfully raised just under $2 Million from generous donors including Alabama Power Foundation, Regions, Boeing, Huntsville Community Foundations and the Wiregrass Foundation. In addition, since 2006 the state has provided $6.2 million in competitive grants to encourage the expansion of AP in the state – including annual grants to the A+ College Ready program schools in support of their efforts.
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