Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Paul B. Borthwick
Committee Member
Mel D. Coleman
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
academic achievement, acceleration (education), ability grouping, access, Advanced Placement, advanced placement programs, application rates, college preparation, comprehensive high school, demographics, enrollment, enrollment growth, educational improvement, educational interventions, high-achieving students, intervention programs, participation rates, program development, program expansion, school demographics, school scheduling, secondary education, student achievement, student enrollment, student participation, tracking, underrepresented students
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to increase the participation rate of students in the advanced placement (AP) program in a comprehensive high school. The participation rate at this particular site was 8.69% for the 2001-2002 school year. An audit conducted at that time indicated that given the school’s demographics, the AP participation rate should have been at 20%. A strong AP program is advantageous not only to the students actually taking the course but to the entire student body as well. A system was set in place that did not promote the growth and development of AP.
The writer developed improvement strategies designed to expand the AP program, increase enrollment, and open up avenues to students who traditionally had not participated in the program. The level of tracking was examined and in some instances modified. The schedule in place was modified to be more supportive of the AP program, and intervention programs were established to help prepare students for the rigors of AP.
The original goal of the applied dissertation was to increase AP enrollment by a minimum of 20% from its current participation rate and for this growth to continue until an overall participation rate of 20% had been achieved. Application of the strategies outlined above resulted in an increase from 8.12% (2002–2003 enrollment) to 13.65% (2003- 2004 enrollment). The climb from 8.12% to 13.65% reflects an increase of 68.10%.