Advanced placement: access equity for students of color in a high-performing suburban school

Nationally, schools are facing multiple challenges such as high dropout rates, low student performance and a shortage of resources. These challenges are magnified for students of color. Across the United States there is an educational equity issue for students of color, and this holds true for the Advanced Placement (AP) program. This action research case study attempted to provide access equity in the AP program for students of color in a high-performing, increasingly diverse suburban high school. The study sought to answer the four questions. What are the most effective school practices to engage students of color for the AP program? In what ways does the recruitment of students of color affect access equity in the AP program for students of color? Does the recruitment of students of color have a bearing on the overall enrollment for the AP program? What does the action research team learn as they work collaboratively to positively impact the access equity in the AP program for students of color? The results indicate school practices that include analysis of program and student achievement data, strategic identification and recruitment for students of color, increased teacher awareness of the issue and parent notification of a childs potential, have a positive impact on the access equity for the AP program. Additionally, results indicate that action research shows promise as a practical approach for providing access equity in the AP program and potentially other areas of student achievement.