An
essential feature in National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Math
and Science Partnership Program is that projects develop
strategies to ensure that students are prepared for, have access
to, and are encouraged to participate and succeed in challenging
mathematics and/or science courses. In Boston, the Boston
Science Partnership (BSP) is
providing intensive, year-round support to Advanced Placement
(AP) science classrooms throughout the Boston Public Schools, to
support the district’s growth of student enrollment in AP
science programs. In collaboration with The College Board, the
BSP has provided workshops and institutes for teachers,
university-based laboratory programs for students and teachers,
summer “bridge” programs for entering AP students, classroom
volunteer support and a full-length practice exam for
students. To help lead some of these activities, BSP
recruited experienced AP teachers, with the long-term goal of
developing them into endorsed College Board consultants.
More
than three-quarters of all Boston Public School teachers teaching
AP science courses in academic year 2006 participated in BSP’s
supporting programs in some capacity. Moreover, in its first
year of providing direct student support in all AP science
disciplines, BSP reached approximately one-fourth of the Boston
Public School students who took AP science exams in Spring
2006. One hundred and forty-seven Boston students and ten of
their teachers participated in year-round AP laboratory programs
at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, Northeastern
University, and Harvard Medical School during the past
year. One-hundred and thirty-five students participated in
full-length AP practice exams administered by BSP in April
2006. During Summer 2006, BSP piloted Bridge to AP Science
programs in biology, chemistry and physics that served
approximately 120 students across five schools. BSP is
supporting one of these programs with intensive school-based
services throughout the current school year, including classroom
instruction and teacher mentoring provided by a retired AP
teacher.
BSP
is developing these new structures to support high achievement by
all students amidst the intent to dramatically expand AP science
programs in the Boston Public Schools. Between 2000 and
2006, the number of Boston Public School students taking AP
science exams has nearly tripled, from 183 to 517. BSP
expects that there will be further growth in numbers,
particularly due to the vertical alignment of learning
expectations conducted by BSP, and that more students will
succeed on the challenging AP exams.
Partners:
Northeastern University, Harvard Medical School, Roxbury
Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston Public
Schools, the College Board, the Education Development Center
