From Harford County Public Schools:
The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) announced today that Aberdeen High School (AHS) has been selected as the “School of the Year” for its outstanding gains in student achievement. NMSI and Boeing, the local program sponsor, presented the award to Aberdeen students and faculty at a special celebration today featuring the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the leadership of Aberdeen Proving Ground, a local U.S. Army installation.
Aberdeen High School received “School of the Year” recognition after students and teachers achieved unprecedented gains in scores on Advanced Placement* (AP) math, science and English exams in 2012-2013. This past school year marked the first that Aberdeen participated in NMSI’s Comprehensive AP program, which provides teacher training and support, more time on task for students, incentives for students and teachers and other tools for improving teacher effectiveness and student success in rigorous AP and pre-AP coursework. In 2013, the 52 schools in the NMSI program for military families saw a 67 percent increase in qualifying math, science, and English AP scores – more than nine times the national average. African-American and Hispanic students saw an 80 percent increase in qualifying math and science AP exams while females saw a 62 percent increase.
“NMSI is thrilled to recognize Aberdeen as NMSI School of the Year and to highlight the incredible achievements of these students and teachers, many of whom are directly impacted by the Aberdeen Proving Ground,” said Gregg Fleisher, NMSI chief academic officer. “Aberdeen’s gains in just the first year of the program are truly remarkable, and unsurpassed by any of the schools we work with nationwide.”
The average first year increase in the number of passing AP math, science and English scores at AHS was 137 percent — 19 times the national average. For minority students at AHS, the average increase in the number of passing math, science and English scores was 233 percent — 16 times the national average. To achieve a passing score, students must earn a three or higher on a five-point scale, making them eligible for college credit at most colleges and universities.
With the generous support of Boeing, the NMSI Comprehensive AP program was implemented at AHS, in addition to three high schools in Ohio, Virginia and Oklahoma, as part of NMSI’s nationwide effort to support schools that serve students from military families. NMSI’s AP program for military families was launched in 2010 in four schools in two states, and has expanded to 71 high schools in 18 states, with the goal of ultimately reaching a network of 200 schools that serve military families. Five additional schools are projected to join the program in the fall.
Nearby Havre De Grace High School is also being recognized by NMSI today for its exceptional AP results. The program sponsor at this school was the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), who has awarded nearly 17 million total in grant funds to NMSI for its AP programs supporting military families. The average first year increase in the number of passing AP math, science and English scores was 70 percent, nearly 10 times the national average. Together, Havre De Grace and Aberdeen High School accounted for 11 percent of the entire state’s math, science and English increase in AP passing scores and also accounted for 31 percent of the increase in AP passing scores in math and science for females.
“Aberdeen and Havre de Grace High schools should be applauded for achieving national recognition for their increased participation and qualifying scores in advanced placement coursework,” said Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara P. Canavan. “We are thrilled that Aberdeen High School has been named NMSI’s School of the Year. It is truly an honor that is well deserved. We are grateful to instructional and administrative staff, NMSI, Boeing and DoDEA for providing this unprecedented opportunity to our students.”
About National Math and Science Initiative: NMSI, a non-profit organization, was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to transform education in the United States. NMSI has received national recognition for training 3-12 teachers and improving student performance through the rapid expansion of these highly successful programs: NMSI’s Comprehensive AP program, NMSI Teacher Training program, and UT Austin’s UTeach program. Inaugural funding for NMSI, was provided by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. For more information, visit www.nms.org.
*Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.
Not to presume anything, but somehow it feels as if this had been at a Bel Air area school there would have been a reporter at the event with their own story, rather than copying and pasting the HCPS press release.
Channel 13 was there and the event made the 6 pm and 11 pm news that night. Wbaltv has an article on their website. But nothing in the Baltimore sun.
True, Concerned Teacher. Had this been Bel Air, Fallston or CMW there would have been a county wide day of celebration. The thinking west of I-95 must be terribly confused right now. After all both Aberdeen and HdG have people of other races and poor people, how can they win?
Well these are the only schools in the county where they are paying AP teachers extra to hold numerous after school tutoring and study sessions for their students as well as providing extra training for those teachers.
Amazing, you pay teachers some extra money specifically to teach rather than deal with more administrative bs and they get results.
And, not surprisingly, I have it on good authority that the union tried to screw this up for the teachers. They claimed that it was merit bonuses, which the union opposes (although I understand why), instead of stipends, and as such tried to block it from happening. For my teacher friends at AHS, I’m glad they didn’t.
Honestly, how narrow minded are you people. There was a news broadcast about the High schools accomplishment. Further, paying teachers for AP is insane because not all teachers are given that opportunity to education this population. This practice leaves out many good educators including all prek-10th. The union should have fought this practice. It’s similar to given whites a raise and not blacks, or males and not females. The practice is unfair.
You grade the performance of your students, but it is unfair to do so for the best teachers?
Well that’s exactly how they achieved these results. Those two schools (and only those two school in Harford County) received money from Boeing and NMSI to pay AP teachers to hold those extra sessions….something that many AP teachers at every school do anyway as it gets closer to the tests.
The only reason NMSI approached these two schools to implement the program is based on the percentage of military families whose children attend these schools.
And AP teachers often hold study sessions at other schools, but not to the degree that the NMSI program required. Each AP subject held a Saturday session from 8:30-2:30 for 4 months. For a student taking 4 or more APs, that is basically going to school 6 days a week for 4 months.
Yo homie, whenever “Life” becomes fair for everyone, come back and hit “reply,” otherwise, don’t bother. Lead the new era of fairness for all, how about you donate your paycheck less fortunate students?