Advanced Placement

Training & Incentive Program

Providing high school students with the tools needed to succeed in college

The overall goal of this initiative is simple – to provide high school students with the tools needed to succeed in college. With a $1.6 million grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation, the Cowen Institute at Tulane University is piloting an Advanced Placement training and incentive program in four public high schools in New Orleans over the next five years. This program will infuse these high schools with a new culture and direction based on improving post-secondary education awareness, preparedness, and success. It is premised on proven success using a philosophy of high expectations and incentives for performance. Research has shown that the main components of this initiative - providing at-risk students access to advanced placement courses, extensive professional development opportunities for school personnel, and performance-based financial incentives for students and teachers - have proven to drastically increase the number of students (especially minorities) who are prepared for and graduate from college.

The following high schools have been selected to launch this program:

John McDonogh High School
L.E. Rabouin Senior High School
O. Perry Walker High School
New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School

Key Elements

The Cowen Institute and its partners developed a program with components that have proven to drastically increase college readiness in other school districts around the country. This comprehensive approach offers an integrated set of programs, incentives, and resources to help schools build a college-bound culture. Key components include:

Extensive professional development and mentoring opportunities for principals, teachers, and school counselors
Formal and informal training to upgrade the content knowledge for math, science, and English AP teachers
Performance-based monetary incentives to students and teachers in order to strengthen participation
Additional support to students through prep sessions and after-school tutoring
Training and materials to assist teachers in incorporating college awareness and planning into their curriculum
High standards with accountability for results

Making An Impact

For Students:

Helping schools launch rigorous AP college-level courses in math, science and English
Building a culture of inclusiveness and preparation for more students to enroll in AP classes
Making tutoring, exam prep sessions and other support made readily available to students
Providing funds to cover AP exam fees not provided from other sources
Offering financial incentives to students who earn qualifying scores on AP exams
Providing supportive information to help in student and family decisions to prepare for and enroll in college

For Teachers/Administrators/Schools:

Providing school leaders with the resources and training needed to change the culture in their schools to one that focuses on high expectations and college readiness
Identifying master AP teachers to help guide vertical teams in their relevant subject matter on a path to academic achievement for students
Providing ongoing formal and informal training opportunities for school counselors and AP & Pre-AP teachers
Supporting collaborations between high school and middle school teachers to coordinate preparation of students for success in AP classes
Offering financial incentives to teachers to support additional responsibilities in extra training and teaching AP; additional stipends are available for each qualifying scores achieved by students in their eligible AP classes

Proven Results

The Advanced Placement program is one of the leading programs available to prepare high school students for higher education. Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses taught by high school teachers to high school students. High school students who perform well on the AP exam and pass the AP classes attain college level skills and have the opportunity to obtain college credits. Research has shown that students passing AP exams are three times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not. On average, over five years the program has tripled the number of students passing AP English exams, quadrupled the number passing AP math exams, and quintupled the number passing AP science exams. In addition, African American and Hispanic students who pass AP exams are four times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not.

Program Contact

Emily Remington

Manager, College Readiness Programs

504-274-3684

eremingt@tulane.edu

Read the school performance addendum to the State of Public Education in New Orleans report that was released in January 2009. [more]

High school and nonprofit leaders are encouraged to apply today to host a Jones Scholars intern to support your organization. Application deadline: February 13, 2009. [more]

Tulane faculty can apply for funding for research that will contribute to the understanding of the problems that impede the emergence of a high-performing system of public schools in New Orleans. Application deadline: February 20, 2009. [more]

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