HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, December 13, 2011
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
TEACHING AND LEARNING PRESENTATION
Advanced Placement (AP) (Advanced Academic Access) (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Initiative:  Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) implementation of a districtwide College and Career Readiness program includes two components, academic rigor for all students and a comprehensive support system.  Within the implementation the following goals were addressed: 1) increasing the percentage of students participating in AP classes, 2) providing all students as early as 6th grade with pre-AP strategies.  HCPS has expanded AP course offerings at all 27 high schools to include an average of 18 AP courses per site. HCPS implemented SpringBoard, a pre-AP curriculum for all grade 6-12 English courses and certain math classes at the middle and high school level. The Pre Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is offered at no charge to students in grades 9-11. In addition, students are provided with SAT online access to prepare for the SAT College entrance exam which is provided free of charge to all juniors.

Goals:  

  • to provide students with rigorous academic courses
  • to open access for students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds into AP classes
  • to provide teachers, administrators, and counselors with training designed to promote college and career readiness
  • to promote a college and career ready culture at all middle and high schools

Targeted Population:  In the 2010/2011 school year 17,181 students took at least one AP exam. A total of 32,279 AP exams were taken and of those exams 12,254 scored a 3, 4, or 5 which most college and universities accept for college credit. Currently all students in 6th-12th grade English and math are using Springboard, the official pre-AP curriculum of the CollegeBoard.

 Executive Summary continuted on attachment.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
SUBMITTED BY: 
Eric Bergholm   Wynne A. Tye
General Director, Advanced Academic Access
(813) 272-4842		   Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
    B 01
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20111213_480 (Board Meeting) * Section B Item# 01