What Michigan high school principals need to know about Advanced Placement MASSP Podcast February 12, 2009

What is Advanced Placement? Established in 1955 by College Board and Carnegie Foundation Purpose: support challenging course work for high school students External examination: student can receive college credit, depending on score/ college policy Over 1.7 million students take AP courses and exams per year Nearly three million AP exams taken last year

How big is AP? College admissions Course selection One of the most highly respected brand- names in secondary education (Sadler & Tai, 2006)

Where is Michigan in AP? 2004: Cherry Commissions concern about Michigan HS graduates in college – 90% of HS freshmen say they want to go to college – 41% of HS graduates enroll in post-secondary education directly out of HS – 18% finish bachelors degrees Michigans AP participation – 2005: 27 th among 50 states – 2008: 30 th among 50 states

Understanding AP AP is not college preparatory; AP is college. AP should be rigorous, but AP should not be a students first experience with rigor. The principals role in a schools AP program is big. Understand what AP does to/for teachers, students

Understanding AP: What really matters Greater course selection – Offer more, and more varied, courses Greater inclusion – More junior-level offerings – Less gatekeeping – More recruitment of underrepresented students (economically disadvantaged, ethnic groups) Greater preparation – AP teachers – Pre-AP teachers – Students

Understanding AP: What really matters Greater exam participation – Current research: AP qualifiers have the greatest advantage in college – Strategy: Emphasize exam Increase exam participation Increase exam success

Understanding AP: Best use of resources What is the best use of resources in supporting greater AP exam participation and success – Fee subsidies: Not generally a great use of funding, BUT... – Professional development for AP/Pre-AP teachers College Board workshops AP Summer Institute – Pre-AP and vertical team support SpringBoard AVID

AP Summer Institute: Lapeer East HS Two sessions in June 2009 Features: – Air conditioning – Michigans only APSI hosted by a public high school – Lead instructors are all College Board consultants, AP exam readers – Sessions are course specific – Pre-AP: English for teams within building/district – CEUs/CMU graduate credit available

Contact: Mike Hobolth Lapeer East HS