27 Jul 2015 AP + Project Lead The Way Prep Students for College/Careers
GET MORE OF YOUR STUDENTS ON THE PATHWAY TO STEM DEGREES AND CAREERS
To help prepare all students for the global workforce, the College Board and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) have partnered on a program to encourage student participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses and build their interest in STEM degrees and careers. The program leverages the success of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) and Project Lead The Way’s applied learning programs.
The program has three elements:
- College and career pathways that connect AP and PLTW courses
- Recognition for students who participate in the pathways, and recognition for schools
- A portfolio of career-focused opportunities for students
Get Students on the Path
The first element of the program is a set of college and career pathways in three fields — engineering, biomedical science, and computer science — that incorporate both AP and PLTW courses. Your school can connect its existing AP and PLTW courses or add AP or PLTW courses, or both. Schools design their own pathways that best meet the needs of the school and its students.
Each pathway emphasizes applied learning and consists of three components:
- PLTW courses designed to introduce all students to the field
- AP courses and exams that provide an opportunity for advanced placement and/or college credit
- PLTW specialization courses that focus on knowledge and skills needed for rewarding careers
Get Students – and Your School – Recognition
The second element of the program is recognition for both students and schools.
Student Recognition
Students who complete the requirements of their chosen pathway earn the AP + PLTW student recognition, a qualification that demonstrates to colleges and employers that the student is ready for advanced course work and interested in careers in this discipline.
To earn the recognition, the student must satisfactorily complete three courses in the pathway — one AP course; one PLTW course; and a third course, either AP or PLTW — and earn a qualifying score of 3 or higher on the AP Exam(s) and a score of Proficient or higher on the PLTW End of Course (EoC) assessment(s).
The student recognition will be awarded for the first time in summer 2016 for course work completed in the 2015-16 academic year. There will be multiple tiers of recognition for students. More details will be available soon.
School Recognition
Schools that take part in the program earn recognition for their commitment to helping students get college and career ready in STEM areas. More details will be available soon.
Get Students Opportunities
The College Board and Project Lead The Way are developing a portfolio of career-focused opportunities that will allow students to pursue work-based learning with leading industry partners. Opportunities may include industry-based internships, scholarships for two- or four-year degree completion, or priority interviews for students with the credential. More details will be available soon.
About AP
The College Board’s AP Program enables students to take college-level courses and exams — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both — while still in high school. Learn how AP can benefit your students and see detailed information on planning and establishing an AP program in your school. Teachers can share the AP Students website with students interested in exploring AP.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way is a not-for-profit organization committed to preparing students for the global economy, and the nation’s leading provider of K–12 STEM programs.
Story originally published on the Project Lead the Way website.
