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| Mesquite ISD teachers and students will receive incentives for teaching and learning rigorous AP coursework under the new program. |
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As part of its commitment to preparing students for high-tech careers, the Texas Instruments Foundation has awarded the Mesquite school district $1.9 million over five years to improve the district's Advanced Placement (AP) program. The district, which is east of TI's Dallas headquarters, will work with the nonprofit organization Advanced Placement Strategies (APS) to help increase the numbers of students taking AP classes and scoring well on the tests.
AP classes are taught at the college level on high school campuses. Students are encouraged to take national exams, which can earn them college credit if they score a three or higher. Students with qualifying scores are also eligible for cash awards.
The grant money will be used over five years to help train AP teachers and encourage more students to enroll in the rigorous classes and take the tests.
Students will earn $100 for each AP test they successfully complete. Teachers and principals also can receive cash if students pass AP exams.
The TI Foundation believes AP classes help improve students' chances of success in college as well as their academics throughout high school, said Ann Pomykal, TI Foundation executive director.
"We saw a great opportunity in the Mesquite district," Pomykal said. "We have a lot of our families involved in the Mesquite district. We saw a lot of opportunity and potential there."
The goals for each of the district's five participating high schools are:
- 90 percent participation in pre-AP classes.
- 30 percent participation in AP classes.
- 100 percent completion of AP test.
- Increase the number of exams taken by 10 percent each year.
- Increase the number of exams with a score of 3 or higher by 25 percent in the first year and by 10 percent in each successive year of the grant.
- Increase the exams passed at a higher rate than the exams taken.
- Add specific AP classes in English, math and science.
The TI Foundation also recently donated $1.5 million to expand the Advanced Placement Incentive Program (APIP), which rewards students for passing the AP tests, to all 32 of the Dallas Independent School District's (ISD) high schools.
Under the grant agreement in Dallas, the TI Foundation provides monetary incentives for participating students, AP teachers, lead teachers, principals and campuses.
In addition to helping students pass advanced placement tests, the program dramatically increases college readiness. In a statewide Texas study, AP success correlates with much greater success in college. For African-American and Hispanic students, six-year college graduation rates rise from 15 to 60 percent or higher if they score a three or higher on at least one AP exam.
According to the National Math and Science Institute, students passing AP exams are three times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not pass. African-American and Hispanic students who pass an AP exam are four times more likely to earn a college degree than those who do not pass.
The APIP has proven so successful in Texas that it has now become a model across six states and in 229 schools. Currently, 20 states are on program waiting lists.
In addition to offering financial incentives, the APIP provides participating teachers training and development opportunities several times each year. Many of these opportunities include working directly with teachers who have successfully implemented the program in their classrooms.
Read more about TI's support for STEM education.
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