NEW YORK – More than 1,300 high school students across the country found out today that they have successfully demonstrated their college- and career-readiness through completion of a challenging set of coursework, the College Board and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced Thursday. These students are the first to successfully complete an Advanced Placement® (AP®) and PLTW pathway emphasizing depth of knowledge and applied learning and skills. These new credentials will be sent to colleges and universities across the country as evidence of the students’ commitment to learning and achievement.
“Today we congratulate these students for taking ownership of their future success,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram. “The latest research shows that by 2020, nearly two-thirds of jobs – and all high-paying jobs – will require post-secondary education and training. By completing an AP + PLTW pathway, these students have demonstrated the commitment and developed the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their post-secondary endeavors and take advantage of our country’s top-paying, most in-demand jobs.”
"We’re delighted to recognize students who have combined challenging college-level course work in AP with career-focused learning in PLTW,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and instruction at the College Board. “When students connect AP with PLTW, they set themselves up for even greater future opportunities, enhancing the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in STEM careers."
The AP + PLTW pathways focus on computer science, engineering and biomedical science and combine PLTW’s hands-on, applied learning programs with the advanced coursework of AP courses to give students both the applied and academic learning they need for college and career success. To successfully earn the recognition in an AP + PLTW pathway, students must:
- Take three courses in their chosen pathway (one AP course, one PLTW course, and a third AP or PLTW course),
- Earn a score of three or higher on the corresponding AP exams, and
- Score Proficient or higher on their corresponding PLTW End-of-Course (EoC) Assessments.
Students from 38 states – representing more than 325 high schools across the country – earned the AP + PLTW Student Achievement credential.
Nearly 1,000 students earned the credential by completing the AP + PLTW Engineering pathway, and just over 300 students earned the credential for the AP + PLTW Biomedical Science pathway. Eighteen students earned the credential by completing both pathways.
States with the highest number of students earning the AP + PLTW Student Achievement recognition are as follows:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Texas
- California
- Florida
- New York
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
Students currently pursuing an AP + PLTW Student Achievement recognition should submit their completed application by June 30, 2017, for recognition in fall 2017.
For more information, visit https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/ap-pltw.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 9,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and schools. For further information, visit collegeboard.org.
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Media Contacts:
Jennifer Cahill
PLTW Senior Director of Media and Public Relations
(317) 669-0871
jcahill@pltw.org
College Board Communications Office
communications@collegeboard.org
(212) 713-8052