AdvanceNOLA

The overall goal of AdvanceNOLA is simple – to provide high school students with the tools needed to succeed in college. With a $1.6 million grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation and a generous donation from the AT&T Foundation, the Cowen Institute at Tulane University is piloting an Advanced Placement training and incentive program in several public high schools in New Orleans. This program will infuse these high schools with a new culture and direction based on improving post-secondary education awareness, preparedness, and success. It is premised on proven strategies using a philosophy of high expectations and incentives for performance. Research has shown that the initiative’s main components – providing at-risk students access to Advanced Placement courses, extensive professional development opportunities for school personnel, and performance-based financial incentives for students and teachers – drastically increase the number of students (especially minorities) who are prepared for and graduate from college.

Areas of Focus:

  • Launch of Advanced Placement courses in partner schools, including funding for textbooks, materials, and lab equipment for the courses
  • Extensive professional development and mentoring opportunities for principals, teachers, and school counselors
  • Support to students through prep sessions and after-school tutoring
  • Performance-based monetary incentives to students and teachers in order to strengthen participation
  • High standards with accountability for results

Results:

We originally launched Advanced Placement (AP) courses in three high schools in the Spring of 2009, with 67 students enrolled. Of the 76 exams taken, only one student received a qualifying AP score.

In 2009-2010, enrollment in the program more than doubled, with 11 AP courses serving 158 students within four public high schools. Three students received qualifying AP scores.

2010-2011 marked another milestone in continued AdvanceNOLA expansion, with five partner high schools serving 313 students who were enrolled in 17 AP courses. We are pleased to report that 19 of these students earned qualifying scores.

College Board Forum Presentation

Click here to download our 2011 Progress Report.

College Readiness Contacts:

Emily Remington
Assistant Director, Programming
504-274-3684
eremingt@tulane.edu

Alex Hand
Program Coordinator
504-274-3680
ahand2@tulane.edu