BVT Lands On AP Honor Roll
The Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District is one of 547 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 5th annual AP District Honor Roll.
The District earned a spot on the renowned list by increasing the accessibility to AP courses and maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. According to the College Board, inclusion on the AP District Honor Roll indicates that Blackstone Valley Tech is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students of diverse backgrounds who are ready for AP coursework.
"The devoted teachers and administrators in this district are delivering an undeniable benefit to their students: opportunity." said Trevor Packer, the College Board's senior vice president of AP and Instruction.
According to Valley Tech Academic Curriculum Coordinator Rebecca Swasey, AP courses are an ideal complement to a career-focused education.
"At Valley Tech, students enrolled in an AP course learn to become independent learners, focus on time management, and advocate for assistance if needed," Swasey explained. "Students who gain these advanced academic skills are then capable of more complex vocational tasks, which fosters a high level skill set for students with post-secondary aspirations or for employers seeking high skill workers for high wage jobs."
To compile the AP District Honor Roll, the College Board studied AP data from 2012-2014, during which time the number of AP exams administered at Valley Tech increased from 179 to 397. Valley Tech's increased accessibility to AP courses now includes at least English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, U.S. History, Calculus, Biology, and Physics. The school plans to offer more course offerings in the future.
"Accepting the challenge of AP coursework presents numerous benefits for our students," said Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick. "By earning credits toward college courses while still in high school, Valley Tech students who continue their career training at the post-secondary level will gain a distinct advantage both academically and financially."