Educators Focus on Equity in AP®

The 2008 National AP® Equity Colloquium featured a broad agenda pertaining to expanding access and increasing equity in AP programs across the country. The College Board initially created the Equity Colloquium in 2001 as a way to recruit and retain teachers of color in the AP professional community; while this goal remains a key part of this annual event, the scope of the Equity Colloquium has grown to include a wider range of equity-related sessions and topics.

The conference in New Orleans March 7-9 was attended by
more than 220 people, representing states from Hawaii to Maine and Florida to California. The colloquium comprised
AP teachers and students, AP Coordinators, principals and district representatives. The three-day program included presentations by teachers and administrators, as well as
keynote speaker Calvin Mackie, a New Orleans native and internationally known motivational speaker.

The diversity of the group added to the experience for all participants, said Brett Felder, assistant director of college readiness equity and access initiatives at the College Board.
“For some people, the most important aspect was seeing best practices, learning how to recruit, how to make programs more equitable. For others it was more about expanding their AP offerings and gathering resources. But one of the biggest advantages was being able to talk to other people doing
the work.”

Sessions covered topics such as strategies for preparing, recruiting and retaining traditionally underrepresented students in AP courses; ways to build equitable and effective AP programs; and creative examples of support for AP students.

Students and teachers shared their experiences, inspiring and encouraging educators at all levels. Several discussions centered on challenges in urban schools and in reaching Latino, African-American and Native American students with AP opportunity. Other needs, from teacher training to parental support, also
were addressed.

While in New Orleans, participants also contributed resources to regional schools, which are struggling to recover after Hurricane Katrina. Through the local Community in Schools organization, the College Board and colloquium participants donated hundreds of books and other school supplies to benefit students there.

“Many of these people were so happy to be invited to this event,” said Odette Duggan, director of college readiness equity and access initiatives at the College Board. “They often see themselves as the cog, not the wheel. These are people who
are eager to improve their classrooms, schools and districts.”