Commitment to rigorous class work has paid off for 54 current and former students at Allen County-Scottsville High School. The hard-working students earned qualifying scores on Advance Placement (AP) testing last spring after laboring in AP classes through the year. The accomplishment earned the students college credit for their work and qualified students for cash rewards.
“These students had a purposeful plan,” noted AC-SH principal Shane Davis. “They took pride in their work, respected the process, and were deeply involved in their work. They are to be commended for their hard work.”
In partnership with the AdvanceKentucky initiative, teachers received training and supplies so that more AP class opportunities are available to AC-SH students. The program is designed to dramatically expand access to and participation in rigorous college-level work in high school, particularly among student populations traditionally underrepresented in these courses.
As a result of the AdvanceKentucky program, participation in AP classes at AC-SH has increased dynamically from the first year of the program. In the 2010-2011 school year, 80 students took AP classes with the number nearly tripling for the 2011-2012 school year. Last year; 198 students were in Advanced Placement sections of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, English Language, English Literature, Physics, Psychology, United States History and World History.
Toward the end of classes last spring, AP students took the College Board’s AP Exam in their subject area. Scores are reflected on a five-point scale. A score of five is “extremely well qualified”. A four score in “well qualified” with a three score being considered “qualified.” Students scoring a three or higher on the AP exam are qualified to receive college credit for their work or advanced placement in college classes.
The results show that 54 students received qualifying scores on 78 tests. Of the 54 students, 12 obtained qualifying scores on two or more tests. The students received a $75 cash reward for each subject in which a qualifying score was earned resulting in a total of $5,850 handed out under the reward program.
Cullen Carver and Preston Clarke earned qualifying scores in four classes ---Carver in English Language, Biology, Physics, and US History and Clarke in English Language, Chemistry, US History, and Psychology. Earning rewards in three classes included Isaiah Burciaga (English Language, Biology, and US History), Caleb Darley (English Language, US History, and Psychology), and Austen Riffe (English Language, Biology, and US History).
The reward winners include nine students in AP English Literature; Austin Byrn, Avery Coleman, Tori Edwardson, Caitlyn Graham, Keith Jones, Cory Radcliff, Kendra Silvano, Tony Veron, and Cassidy Ward.
In AP English Language, 20 students earned rewards. The list includes Josh Bomar, Jesse Bow, Isaiah Burciaga, Cullen Carver, Preston Clarke, Cameron Cook, Caleb Darley, Marriah Ferguson, Kayla Hauri, Jesse Jones, Daniel Monterrosas, Madeline Payne, Austen Riffe, Hannah Salman, Shaina Saylors, Riley Wade, Carly Wheat, Anna Whitlow, Katelynn Willingham, and Ginny Willoughby.
Two students received qualifying scores in AP Physics; Austin Byrn and Cullen Carver. In AP Chemistry, students Preston Clarke and Quinn Towery earned qualifying scorers. Receiving qualifying scores in AP Biology were students Isaiah Burciaga, Cullen Carver, Madison Jones, Jack Kello, Daniel Monterrosas, Colton Oakes, Madeline Payne, Bradley Reynolds, Austen Riffe, Samantha Schrock, and Dale Shivers. Three students also earned AP Psychology class rewards; Brad Aubrey, Preston Clarke, and Caleb Darley.
In AP Environmental Science, 13 students earned qualifying scores with the list including Jesse Bow, Jack Byrn, Will Calvert, Logan Cockrill, Brandon Coots, Wesley Fisher, Hannah Obermyer, Ethan Oliver, Jessie Pruitt, Savannah Ranney, Allison Rogers, Derek Taylor, and Kadie Woods.
Reward winners based on their qualifying scores in AP World History were eight students; Cody Bessinger, Wesley Fisher, Rowan Michael, Hannah Obermyer, Jessie Pruitt, Savannah Ranney, RaeAnn Stafford, and Derek Taylor. Ten students notched qualifying scores in AP US History with the list including Isaiah Burciaga, Cullen Carver, Preston Clarke, Caleb Darley, Josh Pedigo, Austen Riffe, Shaina Saylors, Dale Shivers, Carly Wheat, and Jeremiah Whitney.
Current students at AC-SH received their reward checks Friday afternoon during an assembly at the school. Rewards checks were mailed to Class of 2015 graduates---graduates that are now saving money as they embark upon college work.
”The earned college credit saved the students a total of approximately $78,000,” Davis added.
AdvanceKentucky is an initiative of Kentucky Science Technology Corporation, in partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative, Participating Schools, Kentucky Department of Education, Berea College, Council on Postsecondary Education, Lockheed Martin, Exxon Mobil, Appalachian Regional Commission, and US Department of Education AP Incentive Program.