It is evident that more qualitative research on Advanced Placement [AP] classrooms for students from marginalized backgrounds is needed to uncover how AP practices and pedagogies might better serve students who had been historically excluded from the AP Program. I asked my former calculus students (32 total - 22 participated) from my last three…

Advanced coursework opportunities provide high school students with the chance, in theory, to earn college credit while they are still in high school. Common examples of advanced coursework opportunities include Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual or concurrent enrollment in classes that count for both high school and college credit, and…

In 2012, Ecuador signed an agreement to introduce the International Baccalaureate into the country's public-schools. Once considered an emblematic policy of former president Correa's administration, the initiative is now questioned and its future uncertain. This ethnographic study strives to write against the commonly invoked deficit narratives…

Research shows that earning college credit while in high school increases students' chances of going to college directly after high school and of earning a college credential. Research also makes clear, however, that access to early postsecondary opportunities is uneven, with lower rates of participation among students of color, those from…

The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers an opportunity for students to earn college credit and develop college-ready skills in high school. The curriculum was initially designed for "superior" students at exclusive private schools. Recently, however, the AP program has expanded to serve more students from marginalized backgrounds, and…

Workforce readiness and preparation for post-secondary education in the 21st century are critical graduation outcomes for high school students to thrive in the emerging multicultural global society. Equitable access to college coursework in high school and support for course completion and attainment of college credit varies among school districts…

As technology continues to permeate all aspects of modern society, it is critical for PK-12 students to participate in computer science (CS) learning opportunities that prepare them to navigate and leverage technology in their future careers. However, research consistently shows that Black, Hispanic/Latino/a/x, and Native American students,…

This report provides a summary of the district's gap analyses, Equity Self-Assessment Survey results, current research, and district action steps.

Rigorous coursework is one of the necessary staples in establishing college readiness. Rural districts are much less likely to offer advanced coursework opportunities to students. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the equitable access to advanced coursework opportunities (Advanced Placement) provided to rural students (in-person…

Advanced Placement® and dual credit coursework have been associated with positive educational attainment outcomes for students and yet opportunity gaps exist for children to access these programs depending on the school they attend. The many benefits of Advanced Placement® and dual credit coursework for students make it necessary that any…

This book walks readers through the stages of the high school college prep pipeline that introduce interlocked structural barriers to student achievement. The author shows how these barriers reinforce segregated structures that unfairly distribute the public good of education to some students and not others. Price argues that the college prep…

For this report, The Education Trust teamed up with Equal Opportunity Schools to look at students' access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The authors found that although many Black and Latino students aspire to go to college and are interested in STEM subjects, very few are actually enrolled…

Research on dual credit (DC) programs highlights the benefits including enhanced post-secondary access, higher GPAs, lower remediation, increased persistence, and higher graduation rates. Most of this work focuses on students, analyzing local, state, and federal data. The purpose of this study is to present the perspectives of high school support…

In this report, the authors examine the many ways Black and Latino students are locked out of the advanced coursework opportunities that can set them up for success in college and careers. Herein, they paint a picture at both national and state levels of how these students are denied access to meaningful advanced coursework opportunities, from…

America has a tremendous need for talent. This executive summary examines which states have implemented policy changes that can help close excellence gaps. States can and should take the lead in promoting educational excellence and eliminating excellence gaps. Six recommendations to states are presented. [For the full report "Equal Talents,…