INCENTIVE GRANT

Data shows that students who engage in rigorous coursework, have high academic expectations, receive support at school, and have parental support are more likely to attend college and have academic success. The Division of Middle and Secondary Education with the Department of Public Instruction has received a grant to support the needs of underrepresented students by providing the resources and services needed to take and be successful in AP classes.

The mission of this grant is to improve the access and opportunities of underrepresented students in taking AP courses. In doing so, the NC Department of Public Instruction was awarded $1.5 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education to improve the enrollment of underrepresented populations in AP classes. The awarded grant is for a three year period. Qualifying Title I and Title I eligible schools from across the state of North Carolina were selected to participate in the grant program. These selected schools will participate in a three year endeavor to provide teacher professional development, student enrichment programs, and parent/community information and resources.

If your school is not participating in the AP Incentive grant, but is interested in improving the enrollment of underrepresented student populations in AP classes consider the following:

1. Provide interactive informational parent meetings prior to student registration to provide information and resources on the benefits of AP classes.
2. Use the College Board’s AP potential program and/or the PSAT to determine student potential of taking AP classes, but are currently not.
3. Partner with your feeder middle school(s) to do curriculum vertical alignment to enhance student academic success.
4. Start teaching Pre-AP classes in middle school.
5. Provide more opportunities for minority teachers to teach AP classes.
6. Provide professional development to teachers that focus on understanding racial and cultural differences as well as poverty and class in hopes of heightening teacher willingness and ability to work with all students.
7. Provide more opportunities for students to take AP classes on NCVPS.
8. Appoint and train a NCVPS facilitator at each school.
9. Use open enrollment policies to provide opportunities for all students to take AP classes and/ or advanced coursework.