Promoting Opportunity for and Access to Advanced Placement Courses and Exams for Diverse Students

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 39
  In Roundtable Session: Policies, Practices, and Programs That Promote College and Career Readiness

Abstract

Underrepresentation of diverse students in Advanced Placement (AP) programming is an area of concern facing school districts. This study reflects one school district’s efforts to address this issue of access and opportunity. Relying on regression analysis and course trajectory analysis, we sought to understand students’ course-taking patterns as well as identify any disparities in diverse students’ access to AP courses and exams. Results indicate there are differences in course sequence patterns and access to AP exams across certain subpopulations of students. Our analyses suggest important insights into equity in academic programming and demonstrates how other districts can and should examine the degree to which there may be opportunity gaps.

Authors

• Marriam Ewaida, Hanover Research

• Park Cram, Hanover Research

• Angela Wu, Hanover Research

• Allison Kirby, Lexington School District 5

• Missy Wall-Mitchell, Employer is not on the list given

• Lais Zachary