Spain Park High School
Dec 11, 2015
Expanding ACCESS to AP Inside & Outside the School Walls
Spain Park High SchoolHoover, Alabama
Presenters:Amanda Hood, Academic Assistant PrincipalHoward Furnas, AP CoordinatorAmy C. Fineburg, Social Studies Department Chair
Presentation Overview
Spain Park’s school profile History & highlights of Spain Park’s
Minority Achievement Councils PSAT & AP Potential as tools to increase
minority participation in AP & college readiness
Alabama’s ACCESS program as a tool to increase AP participation state-wide
Spain Park High School Mission Statement
The future belongs to the educated, and Spain Park High School exists
to promote and prepare students for excellence
while empowering our young adults to live and thrive in that future.
School Profile
Fully accredited, 4-year public suburban high school
Open since 2001 (First graduating class – 2004)
2008 Enrollment: 1378 2008 Professional Staff: 136
Master’s degree or higher: 69% Five + years experience: 76% National Board Certified teachers: 12
AP Courses Offered: 18 Dual enrollment Courses Offered: 10 Pre-AP/Honors Courses Offered: 12
School Profile
Spain Park employs an innovative combination schedule Allows for embedded staff development Allows for one “block” extended period per
class per week Keeps the consistency of a traditional 7-
period day Provides for two embedded opportunities for
student remediation, enrichment, and extracurricular activities
Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday Friday
1st 8:15-9:05 8:15-9:05 Staff Only8:15-9:20
Academic Opportuniti
esAnnounceme
nts8:15-8:35
8:15-9:05
Academic Opportuniti
es
Announcements
9:10-9:40
Announcements
9:10-9:40
Extended 2nd
9:25-10:55
Extended 1st
8:40-10:10
Announcements
9:10-9:40
2nd 9:45-10:35
9:45-10:35
9:45-10:35
3rd/4th Lunch
10:40-12:50
A: 10:40-11:10
B: 11:30-12:00
C: 12:20-12:50
10:40-12:50
A: 10:40-11:10
B: 11:30-12:00
C: 12:20-12:50
Extended 4th
A: 11:00-11:30
B: 11:50-12:20
C: 12:40-1:10
Extended 3rd
A: 10:15-10:45
B: 11:05-11:35
C: 11:55-12:25
10:40-12:50
A: 10:40-11:10
B: 11:30-12:00
C: 12:20-12:50
5th 12:25-1:45
12:25-1:45
JAG Period1:15-2:00
Extended 5th
12:30-2:00
12:25-1:45
6th 1:50-2:40 1:50-2:40 Extended 7th
2:05-3:35
Extended 6th
2:05-3:35
1:50-2:40
7th 2:45-3:35 2:45-3:35 2:45-3:35
School Profile
AO meets 4 days a week 30 minutes on Monday, Tuesday, & Friday 20 minutes on Thursdays ACT prep exercises occur the 1st Thursday of each month.
Students are assigned to a teacher whom they follow throughout high school. Teachers conference with students every 4 ½ weeks.
Students who need extra help or to make up work get an AO pass. Students obtain the pass before school. Teachers have 10 passes each. Students show their AO teacher the destination pass so
we can keep track of where students are.
Sample JAG Period Activities
College readiness & leadership activities College & career fairs Leadership seminars
Reduced loss of class time for activities School pictures, class rings, graduation
activities Motivational speakers School involvement with clubs
Additional exam prep last JAG period of each semester
History of MACs
Established in 2006-2007 school year Faculty noticed significant achievement gaps
between majority and minority students▪ Example: 2005 – 13.2% gap between white
and black students on graduation exam test scores (a measure of AYP)
Faculty identified black males as the most at-risk group ▪ Only 1 senior black male in the Class of
2006 had a GPA above 3.0.▪ 39 black males in the 2006 senior class.
History of MACs
Faculty identified 6 senior black males to lead the “charter class” of MAC Scholars. These 6 males had GPAs above 2.3.
Spain Park’s MAC program is modeled after Shaker Heights, Ohio. Students set goals and plan activities. Faculty act as advisors and facilitators. MAC Scholars are upper-level students who
serve as leaders & mentors. MAC Potentials are lower-level students in
need of mentoring.
History of MACs
Charter MAC Scholars identified areas of critical need: Emphasis on college readiness Emphasis on character development
Activities planned included College visits Dress-up Tuesdays Guest speakers Peer-to-peer mentoring
History of MACs
Interviews for future MAC Scholars and Potentials take place in the spring. 2.3 GPA to qualify Completed application Mandatory interview with senior Scholars and
faculty sponsors Groups are now established for
Black females – GMAC (Girls’ Minority Achievement Council)
Hispanic students (Mun2 – Mundos, meaning “world”)
Using Data to Measure Success
The following slides are our efforts to keep track of student progress and identify areas of need. Examining population-to-subgroup data Identifying students capable of taking higher-
level courses Identifying students in need of more intensive
academic support.
A/AB Grades ABC Grades D Grades F Grades0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
13%
31% 30%
24%
Grade Distribution - All MAC Groups
Using Data to Measure Success
Improved Grades Declined Grades Unchanged Grades0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
117
24
112
Grade Progress - All MAC GroupsFall 08-09
Using Data to Measure Success
A/AB Grades ABC Grades D Grades F Grades0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
3%
29%33% 32%
African American Male Fall Semester Grade Distribution
2008-2009
Types of Grades
Percen
tag
e o
f S
tud
en
ts E
arn
-in
g G
rad
es
Using Data to Measure Success
A/AB Grades ABC Grades D Grades F Grades0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%
23%
34%27%
14%
African American Females Grade Distri-bution
Fall Semester 2008-2009
Types of GradesPerc
en
tag
e o
f S
tud
en
ts E
arn
-in
g G
rad
es
Using Data to Measure Success
A/AB Grades ABC Grades D Grades F Grades0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
14%
28%32%
26%
Hispanic Students Grade DistributionFall Semester - 2008-2009
Type of Grades
Perc
en
t of
stu
den
ts e
arn
ing
g
rad
eUsing Data to Measure Success
Black Males Black Females
Hispanics
AP/Pre-AP/Dual Courses Taken 15 60 26# of Students Taking Courses 11 34 16# of Courses Per Student 1.2 1.7 1.6Average Course Grade 74.6 83.9 83.5% of Population Taking Courses 11% 57.6% 52%% of Population in Lower-Level Math Courses
44% 25% 16%
Using Data to Measure Success
Research on AP
US Department of Education study shows the best predictor of college success is participation in rigorous, college level courses while in high school.
Our district offers three types of rigorous courses: AP, Dual Enrollment (with a local community college), and Pre-AP.
IB courses are housed at our sister high school.
Students completing an AP course and exam are more likely to complete a BA degree in four years or less.
Relationship of Academics to Athletics
Team GPAs: 3.4
AP students: 60% Athletes 123 of 204 AP students are athletes
Spanish Honor Society: 51% Athletes National Honor Society: 44% Athletes Mu Alpha Theta: 47% Athletes Division I Athletes: 44
Funding for PSAT Testing
All 10th and 11th graders are tested during the school day.
Hoover City School District pays for the test.
We have received a grant from the Alabama State Department of Education for all or part of the cost from 2007 and 2008.
Results provide information for AP Potential.
AP Potential
A web based tool using PSAT scores Generates rosters of students likely to
score 3 or better on an AP Exam Helps identify minority students who may
not have considered AP classes
How we use AP Potential
Access website https://appotential.collegeboard.com
Select the grade levels tested (10th and 11th)
Consider the validity of the standard pool suggested (we may raise Chemistry, for example to 60%)
Select subjects for which data will be relevant
Generate lists of students who may qualify
Distribute lists to AP teachers to generate letters sent either to the parents of the students or the students themselves
Sample letter is on AP Potential website. Have counselors, AO teachers, and AP
teachers follow up with students, emphasizing minority and traditionally underserved groups who may never have considered the possibility of taking an AP course
How we use AP Potential
During registration, counselors meet individually with all students to develop academic plan.
Special efforts are made to assure minority students that they are capable of college level work.
AO teachers meet with students every 4 to 5 weeks concerning grades and concerns students may have with their grades, developing a plan for improvement.
How we use AP Potential
Students have the option of help during four AO periods of week.
Library is open before school for access to computers.
Most AP teachers offer additional study sessions before or after school as the Exam approaches.
Practice exams are available on line from AP and also from the Florida Virtual School https://aptestreview.flvs.net/FLVSAPReview/.
How we use AP Potential
Using Data to Measure Success
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Total in AP30%
32%
34%
36%
38%
40%
42%
40%
35%
36%
39%
38%
39%
41%
39%
37%
39%
Percent of Students in AP/Honors/Dual Courses
2008-20092009-2010
Using Data to Measure Success
White Black Asian Hispanic0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
31%
3% 2% 1%
31%
3% 2% 1%
Percent of Students in AP/Honors/Dual
By Subgroup
2008-20092009-2010
Using Data to Measure Success
White Black Asian Hispanic0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%83%
8%5% 3%
81%
9%5% 4%
Students in AP/Honors/Dual within Population of Advanced
Students
2008-20092009-2010
Using Data to Measure Success
Freshman Sophomores Juniors Seniors
50%
38%41% 41%
13%
24%
10%
27%
50%
37%40%
44%
15%
0%
47%
38%
Percent of Students by Subgroup taking AP/Honors/Dual Courses
2008-2009
White Black Asian Hispanic
Using Data to Measure Success
Freshman Sophomores Juniors Seniors
44%49%
45%
38%
22%
15%19%
31%
40%
56%
26%
55%
42%
23%
11%
65%
Percent of Students by Subgroup taking AP/Honors/Dual Courses
2009-2010
White Black Asian Hispanic
Using Data to Measure Success
Sophomore Junior Senior-1%
7%
-4%
2%
-5%
21%
6%
-11%
15%
8%11%
18%
Percent Change in AP/Honors/Dual Enrollment
All Subgroups
White Black Asian Hispanic
Possible Changes for 2009-2010
Open SPHS Library additional hours, particularly after school Library has 60 computer stations for research
and Internet access, possibly important for minority or low income students who may not have access otherwise
Hire teachers as coaches to help provide students with academic assistance.
Give minority students in AP/Pre-AP/Dual classes extra support during JAG Period.
ACCESS Distance Learning
Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide
Amanda Hood, Academic Assistant Principal
What is ACCESS?
A statewide distance learning initiative that provides high schools with basic courses, advanced-level courses, and electives that might not otherwise be available.
ACCESS Objectives
Provide access to advanced diploma courses
Provide access to additional course offerings
Provide access to AP or dual-enrollment courses
Provide access to remediation and supplemental resources
Leverage existing resources and distance learning offerings
Provide teachers with additional multimedia and technology tools to enhance instruction
Course Offerings
http://accessdl.state.al.us
Spain Park Statistics
10 courses being offered via ACCESS to 18 students
8 schools served via ACCESS 9 minority students are currently being
served through ACCESS 6 Spain Park teachers are teaching
courses via ACCESS Spain Park teachers are serving 98
students at 25 different schools throughout Alabama
Benefits
Meets scheduling challenges Student motivation and confidence Opportunity for teachers and students School equity Individualization