The AP® program is designed to provide an experience to high school students equivalent to what they will encounter in an introductory course taught at colleges and universities. Given the increasing importance of the AP curriculum in high schools and its popularity with students, it is incumbent upon AP to ensure that all courses taught under the AP rubric reflect the best of college courses. This helps ensure that students who take AP courses are properly prepared for college success and that high school teachers gear their teaching of AP to the best college practices.
The study examines what is taught and what is important in courses nominated and then selected as examples of best practices at colleges and universities across the U.S. The goal of the study is not simply to update AP content or examinations. Its broader purpose is to inform high school AP teaching so that the proper content focus is emphasized and, more importantly, the crucial attitudes and skills necessary to thrive in a college classroom are systematically developed. Results from this study will shape College Board exams and programs and, by extension, high school preparation programs.
