The College Board Advanced Placement Program*

The Advanced Placement* (AP*) is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools, colleges, and universities. The program provides high school students with the opportunity to undertake college-level academic learning in AP* courses, and gives them the forum to demonstrate that they have mastered the advanced material by taking AP* Exams. Students can receive credit, Advanced Placement, or both from thousands of colleges and universities that participate in the Advanced Placement Program*.

The Advanced Placement Program* in Missouri

Since the fall of 1996, two AP* sites have been funded by the state of Missouri to promote AP* and to facilitate AP* teacher training. These sites are located at Truman State University and Southeast Missouri State University. They are directed by Milbry McDowell  and Mike Rodgers, respectively. The directors, in half-time positions, work closely with David Gupta, Director of Academic Services for The College Board Midwest Regional Office.

Prior to the establishment of these two sites, the federal Eisenhower Program funded AP* teacher training, but the funding as outlined by the Eisenhower guidelines, was limited to math and science. The College Board* advertised and promoted these institutes and provided information to schools nationwide on the AP* program.

With the establishment of the two Missouri AP* sites, AP* teacher training has expanded beyond the math and sciences to include liberal arts and fine arts. Also the AP* directors consult with schools and provide information to help implement AP* courses.

Advanced Placement* Goals

The primary goals of the two sites are:

• to promote and disseminate information on the AP* program
• to advertise and present at major disciplinary conferences
• to promote increased cooperation between universities and high schools
• to provide in-service training for high school teachers
• to provide workshops, teacher development institutes, and/or conferences
• to develop and train a cadre of experienced AP* instructors
• to investigate alternative means of offering institutes or additional teacher training
• to increase the number of students who take and pass AP* exams
• to establish a state-wide network of experienced AP* teachers and administrators from representative organizations in higher and secondary education