Advanced Placement ®
Advanced Placement® courses offer students the opportunity to earn college credit by taking rigorous courses in high school. Students who demonstrate mastery of the material on a national standardized end-of-course exam – a score of 3 or higher out of 5 – may be eligible for college credit for the course.
Research shows a strong correlation between taking AP® courses and success in college. A study by the University of Texas found students who took AP® courses in high school were more likely to graduate college within four years and had higher college GPAs. A study by Hargrove and Dodd (2007) also found high school students who took one or more AP® tests or classes out-performed other college students. The Hargrove and Dodd research showed that even students who scored on the lower end of the AP® exam scale performed better than their fellow students who did not take AP® classes or tests.
More students in Louisiana are taking and passing these rigorous courses.
- Enrollment in Advanced Placement® course has increased by double digits for the sixth year in a row. Last school year, enrollment in these rigorous college-preparatory courses increased by more than 17% and during the last five years, enrollment increased by nearly 70%.
- Enrollment among minority students increased more than the state average. Last school year, enrollment of African- American students experienced the largest annual increase, rising nearly 22%. Enrollment for African- American students has surged an astonishing 113% during the last five years.
- The number of students who earned a score to qualify for college credit increased by 18% from last year and by 62% over the last five years.
To expand access to Advanced Placement® courses, the state trained nearly 300 educators to teach the rigorous college-preparatory courses last summer. The state is also providing funding to administer 8500 end-of-course exams for low income students and for any student taking a course that is being offered at their school for the first time. Funds are limited and will be available until they are completely allocated.
Advanced Placement® courses and exams are developed by the College Board, a not-for-profit organization.
TO APPLY FOR AP® EXAM FEE REIMBURSEMENT:
TO APPLY FOR AP® SUMMER INSTITUTE FEE REIMBURSEMENT:
Laying the Foundation Training
To encourage growth of AP® Programs statewide, the Louisiana Department of Education is inviting educators statewide to participate in Laying the Foundation (LTF) training which will take place July 8 – 11, 2013 at Pineville High School. Teachers of AP® courses, or those interested in teaching an AP® course, are invited to participate.
LTF training is hands-on, teacher-to-teacher training. Endorsed LTF Trainers will provide in-depth training using LTF materials, the latest classroom technologies, laboratory experiments, and online resources. Created by master classroom teachers, the LTF materials and resources can be used immediately in the classroom to add rigor to the existing curriculum and help teachers prepare their students for college and career readiness in the 21st century.
150 Slots are available for educators who register using the link and promo code listed below.
Laying the Foundation Registration Portal
Promo Code: LATTSTATE
For more information, please contact Tristen Guillory, AP® Program Administrator, at Tristen.guillory@la.gov or 225-219-0454.