Sahuarita, AZ – Sahuarita Unified School District announced today dramatic improvements in Advanced Placement (AP) performance in school year 2015-16 resulting from a partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative’s (NMSI) College Readiness Program. The school posted a 143 percent increase in qualifying scores on AP math, science and English exams, increasing from 62 scores in the 2013-14 school year to 151 in 2015-16.
Sahuarita Unified School District will hold a ceremony on Wednesday, October 26th from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30p.m. at the Main District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Rd., to recognize those students who scored a qualifying score on the Advanced Placement exams. Ceremony doors will open with a Jazz Show performance by SHS and Walden Grove Jazz Band students starting at 5:30 p.m.
AP exam scores of three or higher (on a five-point scale) qualify students for college credit at many colleges and universities across the country and are a prime indicator of whether students are adequately prepared for college and whether they will succeed when they get there. Students who master AP courses in high school are three times more likely to graduate from college. For minority students, that multiplier is even greater: African-American and Hispanic students who succeed in AP courses are four times more likely to graduate from college.
“The National Math & Science Initiative is designed to bring high-level learning and academic rigor to the school subjects that help students excel in STEM fields,” says Brett Bonner, SUSD assistant superintendent. “NMSI provides educators with the training, methods, materials and resources that contribute to academic excellence in these areas.”
Last year, NMSI partner schools averaged a 68 percent increase in the number of qualifying math, science and English exam scores earned by their students — 10 times the national average.
Proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is crucial to our country’s capacity for innovation and future economic growth. NMSI’s College Readiness Program is addressing this urgent need by partnering with schools that are committed to raising the academic bar and working with teachers, students and administrators to set and achieve ambitious academic performance goals. The program’s key elements of success include shared accountability and goal setting with schools, intensive teacher training and support from expert mentors, more time on task for students through tutoring and study sessions, open enrollment to broaden student participation, and achievement-based awards for teachers and students.
To date, NMSI’s College Readiness Program has been implemented in more than 1,000 schools across 34 states. Sahuarita Unified School District is the first and only N.M.S.I. partner in Arizona.
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About the National Math and Science Initiative
NMSI, a national nonprofit organization, breaks down barriers to access in education and prepares all students to graduate college and career ready. Launched in 2007, NMSI’s programs improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness, particularly in math and science, through scalable solutions rooted in local partnerships. NMSI has received national recognition for programs benefiting school communities nationwide including NMSI’s College Readiness Program, Laying the Foundation Teacher Training Program, and UTeach Expansion Program. For more information, visit www.nms.org.
Advanced Placement® and AP® are registered trademarks of the College Board.
About Sahuarita Unified School District
Sahuarita Unified School District #30 is a public school district, serving grade K-12, located 9 miles south of Tucson, AZ. One of few growing districts in Arizona, SUSD continues to seek out innovative and quality approaches to education. Through exemplary programs, students learn the skills they need to achieve success. Visit www.susd30.us for more information about the exciting education opportunities at Sahuarita Unified School District or follow us on Facebook or @SUSD30 on Twitter.
