The proof is in the puddin'. That being said, with statistics like the one above, what could possibly be argued about the initiative other than it's working for U.S. students? The article elaborates and states that the program has been especially helpful in boosting success for girls and minority students - groups that initiative CEO Sara Martinez Tucker says have been under-represented in advanced math and science classes.
Supporters, participants and teachers involved in the initiative's training says that the program raises expectations. It looks as though when teachers are stepping up their game in the classroom, students feel inclined to do the same. Why the program hasn't made its way on to more campuses is practically shocking.
Last year. the initiative was in place in 462 schools in 18 states, about two percent of the nation's schools. It will be added in schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Arkansas this year. Each participating school receives the extra support for three years at a cost of $500,000 per school. Some districts receive funding as a grant from the group, which gets support from foundations, corporations and the U.S. Department of Education.
The program began five years ago and has improved the pass rates on the AP tests every year! Read more about the program and how its pass rates on math and science AP exams stack up against national averages in Schoof's full report on McClatchy.
