Two Tennessee School Districts Place on the College Board’s AP District Honor Roll for Significant Gains in Student Access and Success

NASHVILLE— Two Tennessee school districts, Gibson County Special School District and Williamson County Schools, have been honored by the College Board by being named to the 8th Annual AP District Honor Roll. These districts represent Tennessee by being two of 447 school districts in the United States and Canada to be included on this year’s honor roll. 

Since 2015, both school districts have increased the number of students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher, which is often the minimum score required to receive possible college credit. AP classes offer students the ability to take college-level course work and earn college credit based on their performance on the national AP exam. Reaching these goals shows that this district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for the rigorous course work of AP classes.

“For the future success of our students, it is imperative that students from all backgrounds have access to challenging early postsecondary opportunities, such as AP courses,” Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said. “I am proud to acknowledge the hard work of the students and educators in these two districts who are encouraging students not only to take AP courses, but are preparing them to succeed on the exam, and ultimately in life.”

Currently, there are eight types of early postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs) available in Tennessee, with AP courses being one option for districts and schools to pursue. To support this effort, and to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to earn early postsecondary credit, the department supports the expansion of AP course offerings as districts and schools adopt a portfolio of EPSOs. Both Gibson County Special School District and Williamson County Schools have shown a commitment to this effort by expanding the availability of AP courses among students of all backgrounds.

“Congratulations to all the educators and administrators in this district who have worked to clear a path for more students of all backgrounds to participate and succeed in AP,” said Trevor Packer, head of AP and Instruction at The College Board. “These educators and administrators are fostering a culture in their schools and classrooms that allows students to face new challenges and build the confidence to succeed.”

Inclusion in the 8th Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on a review of three years of AP data, from 2015 to 2017, looking across 38 AP Exams. The following criteria were used.

Districts must:

• Increase participation and access to AP courses by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts, and at least 11 percent in small districts;
• Increase or maintain the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students taking exams and increase or maintain the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students scoring 3 or higher on at least one AP exam; and
• Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2017 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2015 percentage, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70 percent of its AP students earn a 3 or higher.

The complete 8th Annual AP District Honor Roll can be found on the College Board’s website here. For media inquiries, contact Sara Gast, director of communications, at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov.