DeKalb and Sevier counties placed on the College Board’s 10th Annual AP® District Honor roll for significant gains in student access and success
250 school districts across the U.S. and Canada are honored
NASHVILLE —Two districts in Tennessee, DeKalb County School District and Sevier County School System, are among 250 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 10th Annual AP® District Honor Roll.
To be included on the 10th Annual Honor Roll, schools must have shown an increase in the number of students participating in AP courses since 2017 while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. Achieving these goals indicates that both Sevier and DeKalb are successfully identifying motivated, academically-prepared students for AP participation and credit. Additionally, this is Sevier’s second recognition since 2014.
“The efforts of DeKalb and Sevier counties exemplify what Best for All truly means,” said Commissioner Schwinn. “Expanding AP access while increasing exam scores takes incredible commitment, and we commend the students, teachers, and leaders who worked so hard to achieve these results.”
National data from 2019 show that among historically underserved student groups who are ready for AP courses, only about half of them participate. The first step to increasing participation is increasing access. By removing barriers and opening more doors to prepared and motivated students, these counties give more students the opportunity to get a head start on postsecondary success.
For inclusion on the 10th Annual AP District Honor Roll, DeKalb and Sevier met the following criteria:
• Increase participation/access in AP courses.
• Increase or maintain the percentage of historically underserved students taking exams and increase or maintain the percentage of these students scoring 3+ on at least one AP Exam.
• Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2019 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2017 percentage, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 or higher.
“I am pleased with our district’s inclusion on the AP Honor Roll and applaud the commitment of our students, teachers, school counselors, and administrators to successful participation in early postsecondary opportunities. Such rigorous learning opportunities prepare students for future success in college and beyond,” said Dr. Jack A. Parton, Director of Schools for Sevier County School System.
“With more students participating and succeeding in AP in these districts, more students have the chance to earn early college credit,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and Instruction at the College Board. “We are pleased to honor the teachers and administrators who cleared a path for more students of all backgrounds to advance through AP.”
The complete 10th Annual AP District Honor Roll can be found here: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/awards/district-honor-roll.
