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A record number of AP and IB tests were taken by Bellevue students this spring.
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BSD students take record number of AP and IB tests
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ellevue students in 2006 continue to set the pace for taking Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. This spring, Bellevue's high school students took a record 4,640 tests, far surpassing last year’s total of 3,678. By comparison, in 1997 the total was just over 250. Students who take challenging courses in high school are far more likely to be successful in college. That’s why education writers like Jay Mathews, author of the annual Newsweek high school rankings, continue to rank Bellevue 's high schools among the top in the country.
Part of the reason for the increase in AP course- and test-taking is the change in culture in Bellevue’s high schools. At our high schools you’re likely to see a pep poster in support of academics much like we’re used to seeing those in support of athletic events. And perhaps the biggest cheerleaders for students in this arena are the teachers.
On test day, Bellevue High’s AP Chemistry teachers Jeannine Sieler and Mark Morrow displayed an enthusiastic show of support for their students along with all the other BSD high schools students who were sweating the test. Showing that chemistry teachers also have art skills, they produced a colorful 9 x 12 foot poster that included all the names of their students and a reminder that AP Chem at BHS ROCKS!
We asked Jeannine and Mark about some of the ways they support their students.
“Mark and I have been teaching AP Chemistry together here at BHS for the last five years. We 'team teach' all of our AP sections to encourage our students to feel more comfortable with both of us...resulting in a feeling of community with common goals for each student. We know the team approach helps them academically and emotionally for the immediate goal -- the AP Chemistry examination -- as well as any future endeavors.
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As a show of support ,BHS Chemistry Dept. created this huge poster to inspire their students while taking the AP test.
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"Before the exam we tell our students we (the staff) are not allowed to be present during the exam; however, we made arrangements to be there before the exam. Traditionally, I give each student a hand-written note as they go into the exam. This year, Mark brought enough 'Smarties(R)' candies to give one to each of our students and to each of the Sammamish students (we knew some of the SHS students because they had attended one or more of the six district-wide AP Chem. evening review sessions held at BHS), and cheered each of them on as they went into the exam.
We asked a few of our students how our presence before the exam, the notes, "Smarties(R)" and our "AP Chemistry at BHS Rocks" sign made them feel. One student said, "It was cool to have our teachers there," and another one said, "It made me feel like I was back in our room at school; you guys being there made it more comfortable." The youngest student we have in AP Chemistry this year simply said, "really cool." Mark and I both know being there is helpful in a variety of ways for each of our students.”
Congratulations to Jeannine and Mark’s students as well as all the BSD students who took an AP or IB exam this spring.
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Advanced Level Courses
Bellevue encourages ALL students to take challenging coursework including Advanced Placement, AP and International Baccalaureate, IB classes in high school. The following broadcast was produced in 2001 and offers the views of students, teachers, counselors, and others on why AP and IB courses are the right courses for all students
View our 12 min. video featuring an interview with Jay Mathews, "The AP/IB Challenge is for ALL Students" (click here for Windows Media Video stream) |
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Chart showing AP and IB test taking over ten years for Bellevue, Newport, Sammamish and Interlake High Schools