Hartselle High recognized for high AP course scores
Hartselle High School was singled out for special recognition at a statewide celebration of 2011 AP test scores at Gadsden High School on Aug. 24.
Gov. Robert Bentley and Assistant State Superintendent Tommy Bice recognized the school for its high level of achievement in its first year as a participant in the A+ College Ready Grant program.
Students posted 129 passing scores during the 2011-2012 school year in math, science and English AP courses. That was by far the most of any other school in its grant unit.
In addition to praising the school and its students for their outstanding success, the governor presented the school with a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a deserving student taking AP level classes.
The A+ College Ready grant is a three-year program funded by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), the U.S. Department of Education, the Alabama Legislature and private donors includuing Alabama Power Foundation, Regions Bank, Boeing and ExxonMobil among others.
Its goal is to boost student enrollment and achievement in rigorous AP and Pre-AP courses, which significantly increase the chance of success in college.
“Most Universities award college credit for students who receive qualifying scores of three or higher on the AP exam,” said Hartselle High Principal Jeff Hyche. “When you factor in the cost of three credit hours in college, Hartselle families are realizing significant savings.
In addition to college credit, students received $100 for each AP course in which they received a passing grade. Teachers of AP courses were also given $100 for each student they taught who received a passing score. The school also received a financial reward for exceeding its 2010 goal of 85 passing scores.
Hyche attributed the outstanding success of the program in its first year to “hard working students not afraid to take challenging college prep course and dedicated teachers who go above and beyond to successfully teach AP and Pre-AP courses.
“The intensive teacher training, support given throughout the year from master teachers and special study sessions available to students as a part of the program are making students and teachers better prepared and, thus, more successful,” he pointed out.
