On Wednesday August 28, The Scratching Post staff interviewed Dr. Thomas Koulentes, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, to learn about the District’s implementation of the Accelerated Placement Act and added academic supports at VHHS.
What is the Accelerated Placement Act?
The District has implemented changes in accordance with the Accelerated Placement Act (APA), which went into effect in 2018.
In accordance with APA, if students score proficient or exceed proficiency on nationally normed tests, such as the pre-SAT or the SAT, they are automatically placed into the next highest course level.
The student can then choose to opt out of the accelerated course they are placed into. This is a shift away from the past norm of teacher recommendations for course selection.
How has the change impacted District 128 students?
The change has led to higher enrollment of freshmen and sophomores in AP and honors courses as compared to previous years. According to Koulentes, there was less of an observed change for juniors and seniors.
Koulentes said this trend is likely because underclassmen may be still figuring out the high school curriculum, while upperclassmen may have a better idea.
How is the District monitoring these changes?
This summer, District 128 provided Student Success Workshops at Libertyville and Vernon Hills High School to students who were taking an AP or honors class for the first time.
“Each workshop talked about a different academic skill or an academic mindset that students who are in AP or honors classes utilize in order to be successful in those places,” Koulentes said.
At the end of the workshop, the students filled out a survey, providing feedback about the workshop. According to Koulentes, the survey showed that students found the workshops to be helpful.
Following the first and second progress reports, the District plans to send out a short student feedback form to these students to see if students would like more support and if the skills learned in the Success Workshops were helpful.
How did the District prepare for these changes?
Prior to the changes, District 128 took measures to educate students and parents about this change, so they could make informed decisions about their coursework.
However, despite District efforts, according to Koulentes, some students and parents remained concerned about balance in their student’s schedule.
“[District 128] value[s] students taking college level classes in high school. But we also value student health and wellness. So we believe in District 128 that just because you have the skills or the potential to do well in an AP or an honors class, we don’t think you should necessarily take all AP and honors classes,” Koulentes said.
What changes have been made to the ARC?
According to Koulentes, the administration has implemented changes to the ARC to improve academic support.
Firstly, the District has recently hired more adult tutors. With these new hirings, there is an increased likelihood of an adult being available for academic support in the ARC if a classroom teacher is not available.
In addition, Koulentes said the District has partnered with an external organization, Varsity Tutors. The Varsity Tutors are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in all subject areas.
If an adult tutor is not available, students can log into the Varsity Tutors chat with a real person and submit any questions they may have.
Finally, the District has created “academic labs.” Teachers in certain classes can assign students to an academic lab, which is 25 minutes with a teacher or an instructional aide to work on a particular subject area.
Freshmen may be assigned to the lab for 25 minutes during their lunch period. Upperclassmen are assigned to the lab for 25 minutes before school. Once a student learns the skill, they no longer attend the lab.
Peer-tutoring and academic drop-ins remain available to students throughout the day, as well.