The Tamalpais Union High School District is committed to providing meaningful, relevant and rigorous learning experiences for our students so they are prepared for college and career options. Student achievement data gives us insight into what is working and helps us to identify areas for continued growth. At TUHSD, we monitor many types of student data including state and national test scores as well as our own local measures of growth and proficiency. One data set of importance to staff and to our community is participation and success in our Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. AP courses give students access to rigorous college-level work while in high school with the support of their high school teachers and peers. A passing score on an AP exam can give students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college.
Participation in the TUHSD Advanced Placement program has grown tremendously over the past five years. In 2010, we administered 1,482 AP exams and this number has grown to 2,100 exams in 2014. This is a 42% increase! It is notable we have also maintained extremely high pass rates with scores significantly above state and national averages. In 2010, 83% of those who took an AP exam earned a passing score of a 3, 4 or 5. Similarly, in 2014, 84% of students who took an AP exam earned a passing score. The national average for students with a passing score is about 60%.
An abundance of research shows that a student's experience with Advanced Placement is connected to success in college. A few interesting research highlights include:
- Hargrove & Dodd (2007) found that students who successfully participated in at least one AP course and exam had higher college GPAs, earned more credit hours, and were more likely to graduate in four years than students from similar family economic status and with similar academic ability.
- A study by Dougherty, Mellor & Jian (2005) found that students who scored a 3 or better on an AP exam were significantly more likely to graduate from college than their peers.
TUHSD currently offers course work to support 18 Advanced Placement exams. The programs with the largest number of participants are English Language and Composition, Calculus, Environmental Science, European History, and Biology.
Each Advanced Placement course is developed at the national level by a committee composed of college faculty and high school AP teachers, and covers the breadth of information, skills, and assignments found in the corresponding college course. AP courses at TUHSD are taught by our own highly qualified and talented teachers who participate in specific professional development so they are best equipped to teach students advanced, college level content.
The Advanced Placement program is just one more example of the rigorous programs offered for the students at TUHSD. For more information regarding course offerings at your school please contact your counselor or principal. For more information regarding the TUHSD Advanced Placement data, please contact Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Kim Stiffler, at kstiffler@tamdistrict.org
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