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, whether they choose a postsecondary path in the 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.

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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. Here's how they did it.

Leverage Data

Automatically enroll students in AP classes using results from AP Potential™, College Board's free online tool that generates rosters of students likely to score a 3 or higher on a given AP Exam.

Open Minds to Inspire Change

Believe that all students will live up to expectations. Make academic acceleration a part of regular conversation at school board meetings, in other administrative gatherings, and at family/community events to help create a new culture of high expectations.

Make the Investment

Back up your commitment to academic acceleration by funding AP Exams, SAT, and PSAT-related assessments.

Engage Parents

Ensure parents or caregivers are consulted if a student prefers to opt out. Help them understand that traditional barriers are being lifted and that the student has an opportunity to change their academic trajectory.

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.

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Supporting AP Teacher Professional Development

Maine Department of Education committed to provide districtwide or statewide professional development and ongoing support to new AP teachers and schools that are expanding their AP program. Here are some key takeaways to consider for your school or district.

Dialing In

Offer subject-specific weekend workshop retreats for AP teachers to help build their comfort level and confidence with the content.

Ease the Stress for More Success

Host one-day exam preparation workshops for teachers one month before AP Exams, designed to help them make the exams less intimidating for their students.

Reward the Effort

Promote that all workshop participation will count toward continuing education units for the teachers.

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. Here's what they did.

Start with a Vision

Set a district goal to offer a set minimum number of AP courses in every high school.

Clear Hurdles

Provide strong administrative support to remove barriers to increase not only the number of AP offerings but also the number of students enrolled.

Shift the Narrative

Proactively work to change the attitude of teachers who don't encourage all students to take AP.