Mass Insight launches Advanced Placement Action Community

BOSTON – December 10, 2020 – Mass Insight Education & Research (Mi) is proud to announce the launch of the Advanced Placement® (AP) Action Community. The program is supported with funding provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Susan F. Lusi, President & CEO of Mass Insight said, “The goal of the AP Action Community is to develop public goods that more school districts can use to expand college access and success to underserved students through AP courses. We know from the research that students who take AP classes are more likely to graduate from college. This program will help equip high schools with tools to support students’ access and success in AP classes, leading to greater equity in college attainment.” 

In partnership with a cohort of high schools that serve a population of 50% or greater Black, Latino, and low-income students in the New England region, the AP Action Community will promote continuous improvement around equitable Advanced Placement education. The program will field test several public goods focused on:  

• Helping districts and schools set the right conditions for increased enrollment and success in Advanced Placement courses for Black, Latino, and low-income students by developing an Advanced Placement self-assessment diagnostic tool; 

• Increasing the academic preparation of Black, Latino, and low-income students in 10th grade AP threshold courses such as algebra II, biology, chemistry, geometry, and English prior to Advanced Placement; 
• Increasing the proportion of Black, Latino, and low-income students who enroll in AP STEM & English classes; and,   
• Increasing the proportion of Black, Latino, and low-income students who receive qualifying AP exam scores.  

A team of college readiness experts will work with the AP Action Community high schools and Mass Insight to field test and evaluate evidence-based strategies. Mass Insight will package and promote successful strategies into accessible public goods that high schools and districts can use to increase participation and success in AP classes. We are currently recruiting high schools to participate in the AP Action Community. 

“We are excited to collaborate with partner high schools and experts in the field to provide educators with the tools they need to use AP courses to create more equitable college graduation pathways for Black, Latino, and low-income students,” said Dr. Carolina Buitrago, Mass Insight Engagement Manager and the program lead.   

For more information about the AP Action Community, contact Dr. Carolina Buitrago at cbuitrago@massinsight.org.