The evidence base for offering a college-ready curriculum is rated low, with mixed findings on rigorous curricula and positive findings on AP course taking¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2009 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? None of the studies examining the impact of offering a college-ready curriculum met WWC standards; six studies potentially met standards, two showing mixed evidence on rigorous curricula and four showing positive effects of AP courses. → Tierney 2009

Evidence¶

Tierney 2009¶

Tierney, W. G., Bailey, T., Constantine, J., Finkelstein, N., & Hurd, N. F. (2009). Helping students navigate the path to college: What high schools can do: A practice guide (NCEE #2009-4066). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/11

q2 · i? · review · r2

The panel's review of course-taking studies for Recommendation 1. Six studies potentially met standards; two provided mixed evidence on a rigorous high school curriculum, and four studies showed positive effects of AP courses on high school completion, college entry, and degree completion.

"None of the studies examining the impact of offering a college-ready curriculum met WWC standards. The lack of evidence partly reflects the challenge of rigorously evaluating the impact of high school course taking—students who choose to enroll in rigorous courses can differ in important ways"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Mandated rigorous-curriculum policies in CPS sometimes had adverse consequences: the IDS initiative saw test scores decline and the college-prep-for-all policy increased course failure without achievement gains — related
• Three of four DCPS high schools mandating AP enrollment had higher AP exam taking and passing rates after the mandate, but passing rates remained generally low — related
• Students who received the personalized AP message were more likely to take an AP exam and passed a higher number of exams, making them eligible for college credit — related
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