Online AP Course Opportunity for Fall 2009
Mission:
To demonstrate that given the opportunity and appropriate resources, larger and more diverse numbers of students enrolled in Arizona high schools and middle schools serving high concentrations of low income students can access, participate and succeed in pre-advanced placement and advance placement programs and tests and achieve to higher standards in English, mathematics, science and other core subjects.
History:
The Arizona Department of Education was extremely proud to receive one of only thirteen APIP or Advanced Placement Incentive Program grants from the US Department of Education in 2005. Nationally, the grant is designed to promote the expansion of rigorous coursework for all students, focusing special attention on the unique needs of underserved and low SES students. Arizona's grant took an innovative approach in that it required applicants to form a middle school/high school partnership in order to create an effective sixth grade through twelfth grade partnership. The grant was publicized throughout the state with four regional training sessions where interested parties heard the basic information about the grant and discovered resources to help them write their grant.
Program Overview:
Through a competitive sub grant application process, applicants consisting of public or charter high school and middle school tandems with a high concentration of 40% or more low income students (e.g. Free and reduced lunch figures) are eligible for $10,000 awards, renewable each year for three years. Each award assists tandem middle and high schools to vertically align curriculum, train teachers to increase rigor, implement more pre-advanced placement and advanced placement classes and increase the number of low income students participating in pre-advanced placement and advanced placement classes and exams.
Current Activity:
Thirty-four grants were submitted from throughout the state of Arizona. A panel of grant evaluators met to provide objective scoring for each sub grant. The evaluators were Stan Maliszewski from the University of Arizona, Marilyn LaCount from Arizona State University, Tina Olszewski, Director of GEAR Up from Northern Arizona University and Leon Oosahwe from the Arizona Department of Education, Indian Education Department. The panel has reviewed every application and scored the applications according to the scoring rubric provided in the Fund Alert. The data provided by the sub grantees was reviewed and selections were made for recommendation to the State Board of Education. At their January 23rd meeting, the State Board of Education secured approval for the following tandems:
- Ajo Unified District - Ajo Elementary/ High School
- Bisbee Unified District - Bisbee High School/ Lowell Junior High School
- Buckeye Union High School District & Liberty Elementary District - Estrella Foothills High School/ Rainbow Valley Elementary
- Casa Grande Union HS District & Casa Grande Elementary District - Casa Grande Union High School/
Casa Grande Middle School/ Cactus Middle School
- Douglas Unified District - Douglas High School/ Ray Borane Middle School
- Holbrook Unified District - Holbrook High School/ Holbrook Junior High School
- Indian Oasis- Baboquivari Unified District - Baboquivari High School/ Baboquivari Middle School
- Page Unified District - Page High School/ Page Middle School
- Phoenix Union High School District & Roosevelt Elementary District - Cesar Chavez High School/ Sunland Elementary
- Tolleson Union High School District & Fowler Elementary District – Copper Canyon High School/ Western Valley Middle School
- Tucson Unified School District - Pueblo High School/ Pistor Middle School
- Yuma High School District & Yuma Elementary District - Yuma High School / Fourth Avenue Junior High School
- Yuma High School District & Yuma Elementary District - Gila Ridge High School/ Ron Watson Middle School
Highlights:
Resources:
Upcoming Trainings and Events:
Contact Information
Accountability
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin #64
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: (602)364-1907
Fax: (602) 364-0556
Project Director: John Balentine
Email: John.Balentine@azed.gov
