Raise the Bar on Learning and Engagement
Encourage and support your teachers and coordinators by creating policies that aid participation and promote engagement.
Requiring AP Seminar to Support Any Postsecondary Path
To address a significant writing proficiency gap among graduating students, Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough School District made AP Seminar a graduation requirement, and most students took it as their English 10 course. This initiative not only tackled the disparity but also aligned with the district's mission to prepare all students for success, regardless of their choice of postsecondary path—military, college, technical school, or direct workplace entry. The superintendent and his cabinet undertook a compelling information and advocacy campaign among staff and families to help them appreciate the value of AP Seminar.
Expanding AP Through Automatic Enrollment
To expand and diversify its AP student population, administrators in Federal Way School District in Washington state used performance data from the SAT and PSAT-related assessments to identify students ready for AP classes, enacting a policy to automatically enroll students in AP based on assessment performance.
Propelling AP Participation with English 10: AP Seminar
Delaware’s Red Clay Consolidated School District leveraged community input to identify strategic plan priorities. Student growth, success, and fair and just outcomes rose to the top. The district set as policy its commitment to opportunity with the launch of its latest strategic plan. The success of English 10: AP Seminar, piloted at one magnet school, led school leadership to adopt this as a systemwide option, broadening access for students who don’t usually have the chance to take Advanced Placement® courses.
How AP Seminar Delivers College- and Career-Ready Skills
To prepare students for the teamwork and collaboration skills critical to college and career success, Rockford Public Schools in Michigan substituted AP Seminar for English 10, leading to 100% participation. By requiring all students take the class to fulfill their sophomore English requirement, students benefited from the social interaction, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and leadership acumen the course cultivated.
Supporting AP Teacher Professional Development
Teachers who are new to AP may need professional support to develop the confidence and grit they consider essential for success. Maine Department of Education faced this challenge in earnest, resulting in teachers feeling both prepared and ready to advocate for more AP courses.
Changing Culture to Remove Barriers to Advanced Learning
Driven by a commitment to excellence, San José Unified School District in California has significantly expanded access to AP courses, ensuring opportunities for all students, particularly those from high-needs backgrounds. The district’s strategy included changing perceptions of the AP classroom, providing professional learning opportunities for all teachers to be able to teach AP, and communicating the importance of advanced coursework to all stakeholders, including parents. They also prioritized budget allocations to support advanced learning.
AP Expansion to Align with School and District Goals
New leadership at Jersey City Public Schools in New Jersey set a districtwide goal to offer Advanced Placement® at every high school in their system. With a “mission forward” mindset where students are encouraged to “go for the gold,” the district committed to help students improve test scores and be graduation ready. Their ambitious effort centered on a three-pronged approach.
