A key action for the Bristol Tennessee City Schools (BTCS) in the Strategic Economic Development Plan under the objective to Excel in Post-Secondary College Preparation and Career Readiness was to modify graduation requirements to include a minimum of one Dual Enrollment or Advanced Placement course and require all students choosing an AP course to take the course exam.
To that end, BTCS modified its policy this year to require that students taking AP classes are now required to take the exam for AP credit.
Last night the City Council approved an agreement with BTCS and the Industrial Development Board regarding the payment of AP course examination
fees whereby each party will fund 1/3 of the cost over a period of five years to assess the efficacy of the initiative.
The
policy change of the BTCS, enhanced by the commitment of the parties to cover
the fee, is expected to result in a significant increase in the number of
students taking AP exams. And once the
student has confirmation that she/he is capable of handling college-level work
by passing the exam, the likelihood of continuing their education past high school
increases and an advancement of our goals to make Bristol a center for
educational excellence and to strengthen, expand and attract businesses through
workforce development and training will be enhanced.
