Packer responded to these criticisms by emphasizing that average test scores had not dropped significantly when access to the courses was expanded. Packer's rapid expansion of the program generated criticism that AP was financially benefiting from underprepared and underprivileged students taking exams. The redesign of the AP US History course generated significant controversy in 2014. The number of multiple-choice questions on the exams was decreased, while various subjects' exam weights shifted to written responses, analysis of sources and data, projects, and portfolios. Packer launched sweeping changes to AP courses in the 2012-13 academic year, following recommendations from the National Research Council and the National Academy of Science. When Lee Jones left the AP program in 2003, Packer took over as the head of the program. In 1999, Packer was given the title of Assistant Director of Operations. Packer began his career with the College Board as a temporary employee for the AP office in New York City while earning a PhD in English. At age 19, he served as a missionary in Milwaukee, before earning undergraduate and graduate degrees at Brigham Young University in English. He was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Packer was born in Provo, Utah, the first of nine children to Shirlee Packer and Rand Packer. Trevor Packer is the current head of the Advanced Placement (AP) Program and the Senior Vice President of Advanced Placement and Instruction at the College Board. The number of students who sat for an exam has grown from 8,447 in 1990 to 17,095 last year.Ī Baltimore Sun analysis in 2013 found that many high school students who aren’t academically prepared for the advanced placement classes flounder and then fail the AP exams.Senior Vice President of Advanced Placement and Instruction at the College Board After a decade-long push by Maryland officials and the College Board, the rigorous college-level courses and end-of-year exams now are offered to students across the state. Many colleges and universities offer course credit to students with high scores, allowing them to graduate early and save money. All students should have the opportunity to succeed in rigorous educational programs,” state schools Superintendent Karen Salmon said in a statement.Ĭonnecticut finished third with 30.1 percent of seniors passing an AP exam last year. “The latest data from the College Board indicates continued growth in the program and a high rate of success for Maryland students. State educators noted last year’s scores mark the third consecutive year more than 30 percent of Maryland students passed an AP test. The costs can prove burdensome for parents whose children take three or four AP exams in order to appeal to college admissions counselors and bypass entry level college courses.Īlmost half of all high school graduates in Maryland took an AP test last year. Maryland will likely continue the same aid level that was provided by the federal government. Then federal funding provided through states covered $38, leaving students with a $15 fee. The price of the AP exams was reduced to $53 for low-income students by the College Board. Williamson said she expects school districts to find ways to cover the costs, and she hasn’t heard of any schools where students couldn’t afford the tests. Earlier this year, state education officials encouraged school administrators to find money to sustain the scholarships during the gap. The timing of passage of the law left a funding gap this school year for the scholarships, and states have scrambled to find ways to continue subsidizing the tests. Maryland officials will submit in September a state education plan required under ESSA. Nearly a quarter of Maryland students used the money to defray exam costs last year. “We’ve already agreed that we’re going to use some of our federal dollars for AP course waivers for students,” said Carol Williamson, deputy state superintendent for teaching and learning. Baltimore Sun eNewspaper Home Page Close Menu
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