$2 Million Grant To Fund Pilot in Online AP Instruction

The Davidson Next Initiative has received $2 million from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to extend a pilot program designed to create online instructional materials for some of the most difficult Advance Placement courses.

The initiative, a collaboration that includes Davidson College in Davidson, NC, edX, the College Board, 2Revolutions and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) School System, is creating instructional units with interactive assignments and video lessons that can be used in conjunction with classroom instruction for courses in calculus, physics and macroeconomics, subjects identified as the most challenging for both students and teachers.

Davidson College faculty members are guiding the development of the content of the instructional units, with help and advice from Charlotte-Mecklenburg district teachers who have taught the classes.

In the first year of the pilot program, four instructional units have been developed and distributed to 28 teachers in 20 high schools in the district. By the end of 2015, there will be 10 more units.

Each unit blends online learning with classroom discussion and practice with exercises and video lessons taught by experienced AP teachers from all over the United States.

"This partnership presents a unique opportunity for our students to access rigorous content in calculus, physics and macroeconomics," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Deputy Superintendent Ann Clark. "In addition, our high school teachers in these subjects have received incredible professional development."

After the instructional units are tested during the pilot program in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, they will launch on edx.org and be available free of charge to schools everywhere. The goal — and the reason the Laura and John Arnold Foundation made the contribution — is to assure that disadvantaged high school students have the same access to and are just as prepared to pass AP classes as any students.

"We believe that a level educational playing field for students from all backgrounds will go a long way to foster a culture in which individuals have the best chance to succeed and prosper," said Kelli Rhee, director of venture development for the foundation.

About the Author

Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.