20 schools added in third year of $24.8 million investment in state's students

By: Special to the News | Opelika Auburn News
Published: March 10, 2010

Special to the News

MONTGOMERY – Smiths Station High School is one of the 20 additional high schools selected to participate in a statewide initiative to increase the number of students prepared to take rigorous Advanced Placement courses in math, science and English.

Gov. Bob Riley today announced the selection of those additional high schools that join 23 others already participating in the program and represent A+ College Ready’s expansion across the state.

The funding for this initiative is the result of a public-private partnership that includes $1.3 million this year from the Alabama Legislature, a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative and additional matching funds being raised from Alabama donors over five years.

“The future of Alabama depends on how well we prepare our next generation of leaders. Expanding Advanced Placement courses is critical to providing a world-class education for our children and making sure they are prepared to succeed,” said Riley, who was joined by State Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton in presenting the selected schools with their goals for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Together, they have committed to increasing Advanced Placement enrollment in math, science, and English by 85 percent, from 1,656 to 3,063.

The 20 high schools that were chosen through a competitive application process to participate in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program are:

· Benjamin Russell HS, Alexander City Schools

· Cleburne County HS, Cleburne County Schools

· Dothan HS and Northview HS, Dothan City Schools

· Wetumpka HS, Elmore County Schools

· Southside HS and Hokes Bluff HS, Etowah County Schools

· Gadsden City HS, Gadsden City Schools

· Hartselle HS, Hartselle City Schools

· New Century Technology HS, Huntsville City Schools

· Jacksonville HS, Jacksonville City Schools

· Corner HS, E. B. Erwin HS, McAdory HS, and Mortimer Jordan HS, Jefferson County Schools

· Smiths Station HS, Lee County Schools

· New Hope HS, Madison County Schools

· Muscle Shoals HS, Muscle Shoals City Schools

· Oxford HS, Oxford City Schools

· Pell City HS, Pell City Schools

Dr. Joe Morton addressed the participating superintendents and principals said, “During the 2008-2009 school year, the 12 program schools had a 124 percent increase in course enrollments and an 83 percent increase in AP exams passed. These results led us to continue our partnership with A+ College Ready so that your students can achieve the same level of success.”