News Release
| For Immediate Release: | December 6, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Contact: | Charles B. Pyle, Director of Communications, 804-371-2420 Julie C. Grimes, Communications Manager, 804-225-2543 |
Two Virginia Divisions on Advanced Placement Honor Roll
Divisions Increased AP Participation and Achievement
RICHMOND, Va. — Alexandria Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools earned spots on the 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll
, which was announced today by the College Board, the nonprofit organization that administers the Advanced Placement program.
The honor roll recognizes school districts for expanding participation in AP courses — especially among black, Hispanic and other minority students — while maintaining or increasing the number of students earning scores of three or higher on AP tests. AP scores of three or higher are generally accepted as representing college-level academic achievement.
“Earning a place on the AP District Honor Roll reflects a school division’s commitment to equity and to encouraging all students to reach higher,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “I congratulate the leaders and educators of Alexandria and Chesterfield County for reaching out and identifying students with the potential for success in Advanced Placement courses, and for providing the opportunities and supports new AP students need to succeed.”
Inclusion on honor roll is based on AP data from the 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. For placement on the honor roll, school districts must:
- Increase participation in AP courses by at least four percent in large districts, at least six percent in medium-sized districts and at least 11 percent in small districts;
- Increase or maintain the percentage of exams taken by black, Hispanic and other historically under-represented minority students; and
- Increase or maintain the percentage of students scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, unless 70 percent of the district’s AP students are already earning at least one qualifying score.
Since 2015-2016, the number of Alexandria students taking at least one AP test has increased by 9 percent; the number of Chesterfield County students taking at least one examination is up by 8 percent.
“Success in Advanced Placement is a combination of students’ own motivation and the opportunities educators provide for them,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and Instruction at the College Board. “I’m inspired by the teachers and administrators in these Virginia districts who have worked to clear a path for more students of all backgrounds to earn college credit during high school.”
This is the second year each division has achieved a spot on the honor roll. Alexandria previously made the College Board list in 2014; Chesterfield County earned a place on the 2012 honor roll.
In all, 373 school districts in the U.S. and Canada were named to the 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll.
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