For Immediate Release
August 25, 2009

CBIA’S PROJECT OPENING DOORS A BIG SUCCESS IN FIRST YEAR

Increases in math, science and English scores, particularly among minority students

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s (CBIA’s) Project Opening Doors (POD) has successfully completed its first year with impressive results. POD has increased the number of passing scores in Advanced Placement (AP) math, science, and English exams by students in nine Connecticut high schools, according to the 2009 Advanced Placement results released by the College Board.

• The nine Connecticut districts participating in POD increased their passing rate for math, science, and English AP exams by 12 percent overall.  That’s over twice the national average and three times the overall state average.

• While representing close to 6 percent of the state’s total enrollment, the nine schools accounted for 13 percent of the increase of the state’s math, science, and English (MSE) exams passed and more than half (51 percent) of the state’s increase in MSE AP exams taken.

• POD’s nine schools represent 12 percent of the state’s high school minority enrollment and had a 26 percent increase in the number of minority students passing AP exams and a104 percent increase in the number of minority students taking those exams.

John R. Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO, expressed considerable pleasure with the project’s first-year results in the nine member schools. “The results solidly confirm the efficacy of the intensive intervention provided by Project Opening Doors, and they bolster our efforts to close the achievement gap in Connecticut.”

"This project proves that all students, including those in the inner cities and low income populations, if given the chance, are capable of learning at higher levels,” said Governor M. Jodi Rell. “Together we must continue our efforts to support programs that successfully provide students with the education they need to be successful in college and the workforce—because today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders and Connecticut’s future.”

"The data confirm our belief that more and more of our students are interested in taking part in rigorous coursework and demanding curriculum today,” said State Education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan. "They want the challenge and rise to the occasion. I am proud to see the strong response in so many of our schools that have not been able to offer AP courses to a wide range of students. I know that this will provide a foundation for new policy as we move toward secondary school reform in Connecticut.”

The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) funded POD in Connecticut and programs in five other states to enhance student performance in AP math, science, and English courses. The programs in Connecticut, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia emphasize a combination of enhanced teacher training, teacher incentives, student scholarships, student prep sessions and master teacher mentoring. 

Dr. Cam Vautour, president of POD, is particularly happy with minority representation in the nine member schools. “The College Board scores prove that more-rigorous coursework combined with a multifaceted teacher and student support network is successful in improving student achievement, especially with underrepresented students in AP classes, giving them the knowledge and skills to be successful in college. POD clearly demonstrates that high quality support services can make a difference.” 

POD also had a positive impact on the state’s low-income and female populations.

• The nine POD schools represent 11 percent of the state’s low-income high school student enrollment. POD schools accounted for 35 percent of all passing MSE scores by low-income students in the state and accounted for 43 percent of all MSE exams taken by low- income students in the state.

• POD schools had a 10 percent increase in the number of passing MSE exams among low- income students and a 47 percent increase in the number of MSE exams taken by low- income students.  

• POD represents only 6 percent of the state’s total high school female enrollment yet accounted for 27 percent of the increase in the state’s math and science exams passed and a 62 percent increase in the number of exams taken by female students.

• POD schools had a 137 percent increase in the number of female students taking MSE exams and a 47 percent increase in the number passing those exams.

The nine high schools participating in POD are Ansonia, Bulkeley (Hartford), Coventry, East Hartford, New Britain, New London, Putnam, West Hill (Stamford), and Wilby (Waterbury). 

"As a college-preparatory high school, we know that access to Advanced Placement coursework is ultimately tied to admissions and success in our students’ post-secondary educational plans," said Gayle Allen-Greene, Bulkeley Upper High School principal. "I am extremely proud of my Advanced Placement teachers and their commitment to our students and POD. Without them and POD, we would not have the success that we have reached to date.”

"The POD project is so compatible to the work we are doing in the Stamford Public Schools,” said Camille Figluizzi, principal of West Hill High School in Stamford. “All of our curriculum decisions are around how to make all of our students college ready, and the expectations that are part of the POD work are helping us raise the bar.”

Beginning in September, 12 more Connecticut high schools from across the state are joining the initiative, providing students, especially those in underserved minority groups, the opportunity to be successful participants in the future workforce. The new schools are: The Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, Hartford; Bacon High School, Colchester; Bloomfield High School; Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School, New Haven; Hill Regional Career High School, New Haven; Bassick High School, Bridgeport; Parish Hill High School, Chaplin; Plainville High School; Wilbur Cross High School, New Haven; Windham High School, Willimantic; Windsor High School; and Windsor Locks High School.

"With a high-tech economy requiring advanced skills in math and science, it is essential that Connecticut’s young people have the skills necessary for today’s highly competitive global marketplace,” said Rathgeber. “POD has proven in just its first year that it can help address the state’s educational achievement gap, and the program is growing to help more students master and graduate with the rigorous advanced-level math and science courses they need to be successful in the future.”

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CBIA is the state’s largest business organization, with 10,000 members.

For more information contact Nancy Andrews, CBIA media relations manager, at 860-244-1957 or andrewsn@cbia.com.

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