Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Advanced Placement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cabell County celebrates AP gains; district-funded testing credited for student college credit
Summary
Board recognized AP teachers and students after Huntington High and Cabell Midland exceeded global and state AP pass rates; district pays AP exam fees and estimates students earned about 2,052 college credits — roughly $615,000 in tuition value — from qualifying scores.
Cabell County Schools on Wednesday publicly recognized Advanced Placement teachers and students after Huntington High and Cabell Midland posted pass rates that exceeded national and state averages.
Dr. Ashley Stevens, who introduced the celebration, said the district pays AP exam fees so more students can earn college credit. "Between the two, they passed 9,50 AP exams," Stevens said, and she noted students earning a score of 3 or better convert those results to collegiate credits. She and district documents estimated the passing exams represented about 2,052 college credit hours, which Stevens said equates to roughly $615,000 in tuition at an assumed $300 per credit.
Teachers credited district decisions on scheduling, training and in‑school supports for improved outcomes. Scott White, an AP teacher at Cabell Midland, told trustees the earlier school start and after‑school resources allowed teachers to give students more instruction and practice: "You have backed the administrators and the kids — thank you for paying for them so the students don't have to." Courtney Powers, a first‑year AP teacher, asked the board to "continue to pay for the AP test" so students are not priced out of the opportunity.
Isaac McCown, recognized as the National Association of Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher for the region, said the award reflects collaboration with administrators, parents and community partners and highlighted the district's high standards. Several teachers described increased enrollment in AP sections (for example, AP U.S. History grew from about 14 students eight years ago to roughly 90 this year at one teacher's program) and urged continued expansion of course offerings such as AP cybersecurity.
Why it matters: The district's decision to pay exam fees reduces a financial barrier for students and can convert successful AP performance into college credits and savings for families. Board and superintendent remarks framed the results as a combination of student effort, teacher training and system support.
What’s next: Teachers asked the board to maintain funding for exam fees and professional trainings; the board acknowledged the requests during its remarks and celebrated the results.
