Last week Governor Bob Riley announced that Pell City High School was one of 20 newly accredited Alabama high schools that will participate in a statewide initiative to increase the number of students prepared to take rigorous Advanced Placement courses in math, science and English.   The funding for this initiative is the result of a public-private partnership that includes $1.3 million this year from the Alabama legislature, a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative and additional matching funds currently being raised from Alabama donors over five years.

“The future of Alabama depends on how well we prepare our next generation of leaders. Expanding Advanced Placement courses is critical to providing a world-class education for our children and making sure they are prepared to succeed,” said Governor Riley, who was joined by State Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton in presenting the selected schools with their goals for the 2010 – 2011 school year. Together, they have committed to increasing Advanced Placement enrollment in math, science, and English by 85 percent, from 1,656 to 3,063.

PCHS was among 20 high schools that were chosen through a competitive application process to participate in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program are:

These high schools join 23 others already participating in the program and represent A+ College Ready’s expansion across the state.

Dr. Joe Morton addressed the participating superintendents and principals saying, “During the 2008-2009 school year, the 12 program schools had a 124 percent increase in course enrollments and an 83 percent increase in AP exams passed.  These results led us to continue our partnership with A+ College Ready so that your students can achieve the same level of success.”

What began as a successful  pilot in 12 schools is now a $24.8 million initiative that is projected to impact over 18,000 Alabama students by 2013.  

“The availability of these funds is a great example of how support from the private sector can really pave the way for state and federal funding,” said Bill Smith, a member of the A+ College Ready Board.  “We wouldn’t be here today without the support of companies including Alabama Power, Regions, Boeing and ExxonMobil.”

“Funding programs such as this is vital to the long term success of communities and corporations across Alabama, as we all benefit by strengthening our pool of available mathematicians, scientists and engineers,” said Bill Ritter, Central Region President, Regions Financial Corp.

Program schools receive training and incentives to help them expand their AP Programs. AP teachers attend weeklong Summer Institutes, get coaching from experienced and successful AP teachers and receive stipends to compensate them for the extra time and work involved in teaching AP courses.  Financial incentives are available to teachers, students and school leaders to recognize academic achievement.

The 20 schools announced will join the network of A+ College Ready Program schools that will include 80 schools by 2013 throughout the state and many more throughout the country. 

A+ College Ready, a division of the A+ Education Partnership, was created with a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) to implement a proven Advanced Placement training and incentive initiative in public schools throughout Alabama. For more information, visit www.apluscollegeready.org.

The National Math and Science Initiative was formed to address the declining numbers of students equipped for careers in math and science, a trend posing a great economic and intellectual threat to the nation. The Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program has three main goals: To increase the number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement math, science and English courses; to increase the number of students earning qualifying scores on AP exams in those subject areas; and to increase the number of students attending and graduating from college with degrees in math and science. For more information, please visit www.nationalmathandscience.org.