May 14, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey Jennifer Stevens/VASS
Phone: (804) 225-4260 (434) 572-5447
Cell Phone: (804) 291-8977 (434)222-8754
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov www.virginiaadvancedstudystrategies.org/
GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 2009 ADVANCED PLACEMENT GRANTS
~ 11 additional schools receive grants to boost AP enrollment and achievement ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today joined Virginia Advanced Study Strategies (VASS) to announce the selection of 11 additional schools to receive five year Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program grants designed to increase students’ enrollment and qualifying scores in Advanced Placement courses in mathematics, science and English. Governor Kaine also commended VASS for its initial success in the 14 schools announced last March. In this first group of schools chosen to participate, student enrollment in AP math, science, and English courses has increased from 1100 in 2007-2008 to more than 2600 in 2008-2009.
“This second round of AP grants will help us continue to move beyond competence to excellence,” Governor Kaine said. “We know these classes show results, and increasing enrollment will prepare even more young people to compete in the 21st century global marketplace.”
Participation in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program allows schools to receive extensive teacher training, new classroom equipment and materials, financial incentives for both students and teachers, and ongoing support services from VASS.
The 2009 VASS grant recipients are:
Randolph Henry High School, Charlotte County Public Schools
Cosby High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Lloyd C. Bird High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Matoaca High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Monacan High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Hermitage High School, Henrico County Public Schools
John Randolph Tucker High School, Henrico County Public Schools
Gretna High School, Pittsylvania County Public Schools
Parry McCluer High School, Buena Vista City Public Schools
Patrick Henry High School, Roanoke City Public Schools
Patrick Henry High School, Washington County Public Schools
Project schools must commit to the initiative for five years through a letter of agreement with VASS. Schools must also demonstrate a willingness to overcome obstacles to increasing AP participation and performance by adding AP classes, altering AP access policies, actively recruiting students who might not normally seek rigorous coursework, and making adjustments to school calendars, if needed, to support the AP program.
“The schools that have participated in the first year of our program have made significant gains in developing a culture of academic excellence,” said Paul C. Nichols, III, President of VASS. “Enrollment in math, science, and English AP classes has increased by over 150%, teachers are reporting that they are getting the best training and support of any program they have participated in, and classroom activities are focusing on lab work and creative thinking more than preparation for multiple choice tests. We expect the same opportunities for this second cohort of schools joining us this year.”
Advanced Placement coursework, administered by the College Board, offers students the opportunity to experience college-level work and to earn college credit during high school. The shared goal of VASS and the College Board is to provide Virginia’s students with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the 21st century global economy.
Virginia is one of six states to receive funding from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) to support training and incentive programs for AP and pre-AP courses. Additional donor partners are the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Dominion, Halifax Educational Foundation, Altria, and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.
