SDUSD Advanced Placement Alliance
Advanced Placement courses—improving access and success for all students
San Diego Unified School District, San Diego County
In September 2008, the United States Department of Education announced the award of 20 grants totaling over $13 million to increase low income and underrepresented students in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. San Diego Unified School District was one of the AP Incentive Grant Program recipients, receiving the second highest award in the nation to conduct its "AP Alliance Project."
This project, funded for a three-year period, includes six high schools and eight feeder middle schools. Don Mitchell, program director, says that research shows that high schools that provide AP/IB courses and increase the number of students successfully participating in those courses produce high school graduates who are ultimately more successful in college.
Mr. Mitchell says that community partnerships play a huge role in the success of the program, providing academic support, rewards, and incentives. Partners are part of the AP Alliance and include universities, colleges, community organizations, and a multitude of businesses—all committed to ensuring that low-income and underrepresented students have access to high-quality AP courses and support systems that promote their educational success. The Alliance provides comprehensive support services to participating high schools and their feeder middle schools, all of which have a minimum of 40 percent of their students eligible for free and reduced price lunch; in some of the schools 100 percent of the students are eligible.
A Summer Bridging program is provided for eighth grade students to help give them an introduction to the AP and IB courses available in high school and jumpstart their success. Guest lecturers, field trips, bus transportation, and food for students during the summer program are provided by Alliance partners. The program operates four hours per day for one to six weeks.
The work of the San Diego Unified School District's Advanced Placement Alliance Project is focused on some rigorous goals and objectives, including that even the highest poverty schools, will offer AP/IB programs in the core subject areas of English, math, and science. In addition, program objectives state that the number of low-income students participating in these courses will increase by a minimum of four percentage points each year of the three-year grant program, and the number passing AP/IB tests will increase by eight percentage points each year. Goals for increased participation by Latino, African American, and English language learners are set even higher. 'The grant also provides funds for teacher and administrator professional development.
Mr. Mitchell says he believes their success during year one of the grant period is due in large part to the support provided by the AP Alliance and the focus on providing high quality professional development and student enrichment activities.
For more information about the Advanced Placement Alliance Project, contact Don Mitchell, Director, at dmitchell2@sandi.net.