Elements of Success

The elements of success are integrated into a holistic strategy focused on student access, engagement, and success. Collectively, these interrelated components promote and support a school culture of high expectations for rigorous student learning and open enrollment in Advanced Placement® courses.

Supporting Student Access to Rigorous Coursework

A culture of inclusiveness and preparation for more students to enroll and be successful in Advanced Placement math, science and English (MSE) classes.

Student Time on Task

Tutoring, 15 to 18 hours of student study sessions for each AP course and other supports made readily available to students.

Exam Fee Support

Supplements to help cover 50 percent of AP exam fees not provided from other sources, such as the federal Fee Waiver Grant to KDE.

Student Recruitment & Counseling

Supportive information and briefings (especially in the early grades) to help with student/family decisions to prepare for and enroll in AP.

Supplies and Equipment

Up to $5000 base for equipment and $25 per student enrolled in eligible AP® classes. Equipment base cap for years 2 and 3 are $4000 and $3000, respectively.

Incentives for Success

Students earn $100 per Qualifying Score [3, 4, or 5] on AP® exams in math, science, computer science or English. Teachers receive $100 per student Qualifying Score.

Stipends & Bonuses

Teachers receive up to $500 stipend to support additional responsibilities in extra training and teaching AP®. Achieving pre-set learning targets measured through Qualifying Scores (by course and by school) triggers bonus for AP® of $1000/$1500, and, if school-wide goal is met, $1000 each for designated school administrator and AP® Coordinator.

Vertical Teaming

Four meetings where high school and middle school teachers collaborate in skills preparation of students for success in AP®.

Teacher Mentors & Content Coordinators

AP® Teacher Mentors are master AP® teachers who mentor colleagues on relevant subject matter. (Fee paid to Mentor per teacher served.) Content Coordinators in Math/CS, Science, and English set up Content Review Sessions and organize four vertical team meetings each school year. Each school should have one Content Coordinator in each content area (up to 3); Content Coordinators receive stipends for their work.

Rigorous, Content-Focused Teacher Training

Rigorous content focused 5-day summer institute (or pre-approved equivalent) for all AP® teachers (first 2 years), annual 2-day Fall Forum training for AP® teachers, and 4-day Laying the Foundation training for Pre-AP® teachers for 3 years.

College Readiness Program

Commitment to Model

Selected schools agree to follow the same NMSI College Readiness Program Elements of Success now underway in dozens of public high schools across Kentucky (and several other states). The goal of the program is to strengthen the teaching of AP® mathematics, science, and English (MSE) courses (listed below), to build enrollment and dramatically increase rigorous new learning as evidenced by the number of students taking and earning qualifying scores on AP® exams in these important subjects. 

Submission of Application

There are narrative and data portions of the application materials.  An application is considered incomplete without receipt of both formats.  The application review process will take place over the summer to select sites to visit this Fall.  Preference will be given to schools that are in a position to initiate or dramatically grow their AP® programs in math, science and English, particularly for underrepresented student populations.  This includes a commitment to strengthening their pre-AP® programs. This may include large and small schools that seek to add or significantly increase enrollments in AP® courses in math, science, and English relative to the size of their school. 

Eligible AP® Courses

AdvanceKentucky coursework includes AP® Math exams in Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, and Statistics; and AP® Science exams in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1 and 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and Physics C: Mechanics; and AP® English exams in English Language and English Literature. The AP® Capstone Seminar and Research courses also may be eligible.

Informational Visits Offered to Interested Schools  

The AdvanceKentucky team is traveling the state each summer to meet with any schools interested in learning more about the program elements and dramatic results among the 100+ schools that have already experienced the program. To schedule an informal visit to your school/district, please contact amires@kstc.com.

Application Review and Site Visits

Upon submission and review of the school application, the process includes various site visits to brief the school team on the details and answer questions on the Elements of Success, and follow-on visits by the AdvanceKentucky content staff to meet one-on-one with their peer content teachers.

Letter of Agreement

Eligible applicants are invited to participate in AdvanceKentucky, contingent on available funding each year. Upon mutual understanding, a school may be invited to negotiate a Letter of Agreement with Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation to participate in AdvanceKentucky beginning with activities associated with the following school year.

Start-Up Activities/Timetable

Traditionally, the new Cohort is announced in the Spring/Summer prior to activities associated with the first full academic year in the program. This includes recruiting students, planning for any new AP® classes and AP® and Pre-AP® teacher training over the summer.

Availability of Funding

Overall funding is limited each year in total amount and by donor guidelines that may restrict the use of funds.  We offer this early alert to applicants that while we work year-round on fundraising, we may not be certain of the total amount available to support new schools until the Spring. Because optimal start-up activities that provide a school with the best chance of success need to begin well before a school prepares its new-year schedule, we find it essential to conduct the selection process often before total funding is secured.

How to Apply

All interested schools may begin the application process by completing the application packet below. Completed applications should be sent to Anthony Mires attention at amires@kstc.com.  If you have interest in joining AdvanceKentucky please contact us to schedule an informal visit to your school/district.  

Advanced Placement® and AP® are trademarks registered by the College Board.

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Laying the Foundation Training

Our program provides twelve days of Laying the Foundation (LTF) Training for all math teachers over the course of the three-year cohort participation. LTF is dedicated to providing quality teacher-to-teacher training, rigorous classroom materials, and web-based resources to improve the quality of instruction. A program overview from our national partner, the National Math & Science Initiative, can be found here. For local LTF training information, including upcoming dates, check AdvanceKentucky's event page or contact Annette Williams at awilliams@kstc.com.