GreatSchools adds Advanced Placement (AP) courses to nearly 15,000 school profiles, connecting families with important information for college preparation and success
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With 77% of parents finding it "absolutely essential" that their child go to college, being able to identify schools that can prepare students for success after high school is critical. National nonprofit GreatSchools today announced a nationwide data update that will help families do just that: the addition of Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, provided by College Board.
Parents and families can now view AP courses on GreatSchools' school profiles in English and Spanish. The AP Program develops college-level courses and exams that students can take in high school. Offered in 38 subject areas, taking AP gives students the chance to explore their interests, develop critical thinking skills, and earn college credit and placement.
The addition of this new data furthers GreatSchools' effort to provide families with information on school resources, practices, and outcomes — and whether they are all equitably distributed.
"Today's data update represents another important step in our efforts to provide parents with a richer picture of school quality," said GreatSchools CEO Jon Deane. "When given access to trusted school information, we believe parents can and will take action to support high-quality educational opportunities for their families and communities. Thanks to this new partnership with the AP Program, we're excited to give families the chance to learn about the advanced academic programs at their school and advocate for their child's participation with an eye toward improving equity and opportunity for all students."
A 2021 GreatSchools survey that asked schools with outsized college success among lower-income students to reflect upon successful practices found that a majority attribute their strong postsecondary outcomes to their advance course offerings. Additionally, research has shown the benefits of taking one AP course, even if the student does not score high enough on the final exam to earn college credit.
"Working with GreatSchools provides a tremendous opportunity to connect families — particularly those from low-income households and traditionally underrepresented communities — with AP course information," said Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program. "Equitable access to college credit in high school has steadily improved and such transparency is a powerful next step that will enable parents and guardians nationwide to make informed choices."
School officials can register on GreatSchools.org to verify the specific AP courses taught at their school and share information about their learning environment, extracurriculars, college and career offerings, hours, and more directly with families.
GreatSchools representatives are available for media interviews.
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About GreatSchools
GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities working to diminish inequities in education. We are the only national organization that collects and analyzes data from all 51 state departments of education and the federal government to provide analysis, insights, and school quality ratings for parents, partners, researchers, and policymakers. Over 49 million users visit GreatSchools' award-winning website annually to learn about schools in their area, explore research insights, and access thousands of free, evidence-based parenting resources to support their child's learning and well-being. Learn more at GreatSchools.org and join us on Twitter and Facebook.
About AP®
The Advanced Placement® (AP®) Program enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admissions officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available to them, and research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students. Each AP teacher's syllabus is evaluated and approved by faculty from some of the nation's leading colleges and universities, and AP Exams are developed and scored by college faculty and experienced AP teachers. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores; more than 3,300 institutions worldwide annually receive AP scores.
Media Contact
Megan Walcek, GreatSchools.org, 845-481-2060, [email protected]
SOURCE GreatSchools.org
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