Spotlight on Education : Rogers High School students reap the benefits of a rigorous curriculum
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Every year at Rogers High School, hundreds of students set out on a journey of educational excellence through the school's Advanced Placement program. Advanced Placement (AP ) courses are developed by The College Board. The College Board oversees a rigorous testing program that includes the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT ), Pre-SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and the College-level Examination Program (CLEP ).
These exams provide students the ability to display their academic achievement and are used as a tool to determine a student's college preparedness. Research indicates students who take a rigorous curriculum in high school perform better on these exams and are more likely to be successful in their post-secondary education.
The AP program at Rogers High School provides students with the ability to participate in curriculum that is equivalent to college-level work and is the most rigorous course work offered at our school. Our students have the opportunity to select from 24 AP courses in multiple disciplines. The instructors of AP course work at Rogers High School have received specific content training in each of the AP courses offered. These instructors were also required to submit their curriculum to The College Board to ensure that each course's curriculum meets the rigorous requirements of The College Board and is consistent with the same courses around the country.
Upon the completion of an AP course, students are given the opportunity to measure their learning by completing a nationally standardized test. The students'scores range from the high score of five to a low score of one. Most universities and colleges around the country have policies in place that will grant students three college hours or course exemption status for a score of three or above on the exams. This benefits not only the student who earns the college hours but also the parents who have fewer college hours to pay for as a result of their child's performance on the exams.
There are other benefits of participating in the school's AP program. Successful completion of AP course work is required for all three levels of honor graduation recognition at RHS. In addition to the honors graduation recognition, students in AP classes receive the benefit of more in-depth study in a particular subject, increased grade points, preparation for college level work and advanced standing upon college entrance. Students who complete AP course work set themselves apart from their fellow students. College admission offices take into consideration the rigor of a student's course work as they review transcripts to determine admission. The AP program gives your child the best opportunity to gain acceptance.
The AP program at RHS is an integral component to the overall academic success of our student body and has been a point of pride for the school and the district over the years. In fact, over the past five years, 2, 341 students have taken AP courses at RHS. Those students have taken a combined 4, 038 AP exams. Of all the exams taken, 2, 015 of the exams were scored three and above. This represents 6, 045 hours of college credit and / or class exemptions earned for our students as well as money saved by our parents in college tuition.
It is easy to see the benefits of encouraging your child to take a rigorous high school curriculum by participating in the AP program. The good news is that you do not have to wait until high school to start preparing your child for AP course work. The district provides a Pre-AP curriculum that begins in the eighth grade. Encourage your children to take Pre-AP courses as early as possible and visit with your child's school counselors to discuss AP or Pre-AP options.
If you have questions about the Rogers High School AP program, please contact Robert Moore at 636-2202.
Robert Moore is the assistant principal at Rogers High School.
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