A recent Washington Post article suggests, through both statistical and anecdotal evidence, that high school students who have gone through Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and testing greatly enhance their chance of college success. This is especially true of low-income, minority or other students with historically measurable disadvantages.
The article entitled “Why AP and IB Schools Soar” highlights The Preuss School, a 6th through 12th grade school where all students take at least six AP exams. Preuss was ranked #9 on Newsweek’s latest list of America’s Best High Schools, which is remarkable to note because this is one of the highest first appearances ever on the Newsweek list. Additionally, it is the only school on the list where every single student is classified as low-income and one of the few schools where every graduating student has received at least one passing grade on one AP test.
The Star-Telegram’s article “More Students Sit for Placement Exams” also remarks on the the increasing trend toward AP and IB programs. (Note: One in five Texas high school juniors and seniors took AP exams in 2005-2006.) The article cited student requests for the programs due to job market competition and skyrocketing tuition costs, parents’ understanding that successful testing can save college tuition dollars, and school districts’ desire to be competitive with a more rigorous curriculum.
How can ClassLink help schools implement AP and IB programs and testing?
ClassLink OnTrack™ is a simple-to-use and affordable curriculum management tool that improves student achievement. OnTrack has something for everyone:
- Administrators define their scope-and-sequence.
- Teachers have one-click access to aligned lessons and activities.
- By submitting assignments online, students build electronic portfolios demonstrating subject mastery.
Continuous improvement was never this easy.
Most importantly, OnTrack can help you manage and deliver AP and IB courses to ensure the best instructional results. For more information on OnTrack, click here.
To read the entire Washington Post article with more about exemplary AP schools, as well as an intriguing anecdotal teacher report from Sherwood High School in Maryland,
click here.
To read the Star-Telegram article “More Students Sit for Placement Exams”, click here.
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