Accolades for Oxford Community Schools continue to grow as their name was found on the list of 2012-2013 AP (Advanced Placement) Achievement Districts from the College Board.
Oxford is one of 539 school districts in the nation recognized by the College Board with a place on its AP District of the Year Awards: 3rd Annual Honor Roll for opening AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students, while maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher.
‘More and more students are gravitating toward these higher level classes because of the attraction of earning college credit,? said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. James Schwarz.
Criteria used for inclusion in the AP Achievement District Honor Roll include four things. One: examination of three years of AP data, from 2010 to 2012. Two: an increase in participation in/access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts. Three: a steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students; and four: performance levels maintained or improved when comparing the percentage of students in 2012 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2010, or the school has already attained a performance level in which more than 70 percent of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.
From 2010 to 2012, Oxford has increased the number of students participating in AP from 169 to 271 while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher, the score typically needed to earn college credit, from 59 percent in 2010 to 64 percent in 2012.
‘We’re quite pleased with that and it tells us that our efforts in terms of putting these opportunities in place for the kids are ones that outside of being in demand on the part of families and kids, they are also being very successful in those realms as well, added Schwarz. ‘That pleases us as we look towards continuing our efforts to enhance their experiences for college preparation.?
Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success ? including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.
Between being awarded back in October for their World Language Program by Automation Alley and their recognition for their AP success, Schwarz said they are pleased.
‘Those outside of the district are starting to see (frankly) the kinds of things we’re doing and the initiatives, innovations and the success we’re beginning to have from those (programs),? he said. ‘It’s comforting for us to see our efforts are being recognized and students are being successful in those areas.?