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Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

EMMC Events to Provide Education, Assistance on Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment

Bangor, Maine - For many, access to some of the most important things that support good health – including routine check-ups with a healthcare provider and recommended health screenings – starts with health insurance. EMMC is holding several events to ensure community members who are seeking coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace have answers to all of their questions and can connect with experts who can help.


Anyone who is considering signing up for insurance can learn about the various options, find out how to enroll, get information on the plans offered, meet EMMC’s primary care providers, get a blood pressure screening, and visit educational displays at the following free events:

Friday, June 13, 2014

State of Maine Prepared to Invest in Transportation, Education

Sale of General Obligation Bonds to result in investments of $127 million
AUGUSTA, Maine – Governor Paul R. LePage issued a statement today about the sale of the State of Maine’s general obligation bonds. The sale of these bonds includes projects to support the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, National Guard armories, and transportation infrastructure projects. It is estimated that projects funded through the sale of these bonds will put as thousands of Mainers to work.

“Earlier this year, I demanded that the Legislature replenish the State’s Budget Stabilization Fund to its $60 million balance,” said Governor Paul

Friday, August 23, 2013

Education Commissioner names 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year finalists

The annual educator recognition program is now administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college and career readiness
Augusta, Maine - Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen has announced that two elementary school teachers and one middle school teacher have been selected as the state finalists for the prestigious title of 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year.

The 2014 finalists are Mary Graziano, a fourth grade teacher at Hartland Consolidated School in Hartland; Karen MacDonald, a sixth and seventh grade English language arts teacher at King Middle School in Portland; and Suzen Polk-Hoffses, a kindergarten teacher at Milbridge Elementary School in Milbridge.

“A great teacher is a mentor who can make all the difference in a student’s life,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “On behalf of the people of Maine, I thank these three terrific teachers and the thousands of other effective, engaging educators across this great state working tirelessly each day to put our students first.”

Six semi-finalists underwent an intensive selection process consisting of a school visit, professional portfolio review and oral presentation. The three state finalists will complete a final interview before the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year is named at a surprise all-school assembly in September.

According to Education Commissioner Bowen, Maine’s Teacher of the Year process is one of the most rigorous in the nation.

“The Maine Teacher of the Year is a valuable resource and spokesperson for Maine’s talented, professional

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Maine Charter Commission approves contracts with three new public charter schools

The following is a news release from the Maine Charter School Commission.
Augusta, Maine - The Maine Charter School Commission in a public meeting held Tuesday in Augusta discussed, voted and signed three public charter school contracts – culminating months of work on the part of the schools and the commission. The Maine Charter School Commission has the responsibility to approve up to 10 public charter schools in the State in 10 years. The three schools are the Baxter Academy for Technology and Sciences to be located in Portland; the Fiddlehead School of Arts and Science in Gray; and the Harpswell Coastal Academy in Harpswell. These three schools will open September 2013. They will join the Cornville Regional Charter School and the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, providing Maine with the choice of five different public charter schools.

Each application had been reviewed by the Commission for its education plan, a proposed organizational and operational plan, and its governance, business and financial information.

Baxter Academy’s program will be that of a rigorous, college preparatory high school promoting student ownership of learning through a curriculum focused specifically on STEM.

The Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences’ program will be based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy with place-based multiple intelligences, art integration and inquiry-based learning.

Harpswell Coastal Academy’s plan will incorporate a vast array of practical-life principles in their education plan and will utilize the ocean, wetlands and farmlands as a central aspect of the school’s resources.

Jana Lapoint, chair of the Commission, said, “The ultimate responsibility of the Commission is to ensure that a quality education is provided to all students attending a public charter school. Today’s approval of the contract for these schools is good news for the State of Maine as it provides additional choices for parents as they seek an education that best meets their child’s individual needs and learning style. These programs can serve as an alternative model of learning that other schools might consider and replicate. Our hope is that all public schools, non-charter and charter, working collaboratively together, will result in improved educational results for all of Maine’s students.”

The Maine Charter School law has been commended by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools as second in the nation for requiring best practices that support charter school success.

For more information about the Maine Charter School Commission, visit: www.maine.gov/csc or call 624-6729.

Bowen announces school improvement supports for struggling schools

Augusta, Maine - Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced plans today for providing supports to low-performing schools. The plans are the next step following last week’s release of a new letter grading system for Maine schools.

The improvement support plans have been the focus of the Maine School Performance Grading System, in which Bowen and Governor Paul R. LePage seek to propel community discussion about schools and how to help them improve. In the weeks and months ahead, the Maine Department of Education will be taking a series of action steps designed to better support schools as they work to meet the needs of all students.
 
Bowen said the Department will reach out before the end of the current academic year to every school that received a D or an F. Title I Improvement Team staff and regional representatives will analyze the schools’ data, review initiatives and programming, and help identify the most pressing technical assistance and professional development needs.
 
“Here at the Department, we’re going to keep track of the data we collect from our outreach to schools,” Bowen said. “We’re literally creating a room to serve as a strategic school improvement data and center, which will meet and discuss where schools are in their school improvement work and better coordinate outreach and support, much as school staff meet and discuss the individual needs of students and individualized improvement plans for those students.”
 
Bowen said his Department will compile data and feedback from low-performing schools to help guide improvement efforts. And by the end of May, the Maine DOE will establish a weekly webinar series focused on school improvement strategies for teachers and school leaders.
 
In an effort to learn more about what is currently working in Maine’s education system and what is not yielding results, Gov. LePage will seek input from educators from across the state. “Our teachers are the eyes and ears of our education system and it’s important we listen to them. They know what works and what doesn’t, so I’ll be creating a teacher advisory panel to provide direct feedback from our teachers on how the state can best support teaching and learning in the classroom.”
 
Over the summer, the Commissioner will create his own task force—comprised of teachers, schools leaders, curriculum specialists and content area experts—to focus on expanding high quality professional development.
 
The Department will work with schools during the 2013-14 academic year to develop individualized school improvement plans that will include action steps and measurable outcome goals. These improvement plans will help direct the school improvement work of both the schools themselves and the Maine DOE.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Teacher eval systems move forward

Augusta, Maine - The move toward evaluation systems for teachers in all Maine schools takes a big step forward this month. The Maine Department of Education will hold a hearing later this month on rules setting the standards for such evaluation systems. Meanwhile, the stakeholder group tasked by the Legislature with developing standards just submitted its report.
“Of the education laws passed last session, this is one of the two most significant,” said Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen. “We are extremely grateful for the work of theMaine Educator Effectiveness Council. They met many, many times, put in a lot of hard work, and have helped us move this forward.”
The legislation was proposed by Gov. Paul LePage and enacted last year with unanimous Education Committee support and more than two-thirds support in both the House and Senate. It requires school districts to develop and implement systems for evaluating teachers and principals based on professional practice,

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Oceanside West First Quarter Honor Roll

Thomaston, Maine - Oceanside West in Thomaston, Maine released the names of those who made the honor roll for the first quarter of the 2012/2013 school year. Here are the names of those who made the first quarter honor roll.

Grade 8

High Honors
Jordan Mini, Daigen Pierpont, Emmanuel Tung, Madelyn Young

Honors
Thomas Akselsen, Jackson Arnsdorf, Julia Barbour, Judith Barstow, Casey Benner, Josef Berger, Samantha Berry, Mariah Blake, Jillian Brooks, Kelsey Brooks, Cassie Butler, Natasha Chadbourne, Leila Chammas,

Friday, November 16, 2012

Commission approves sciences charter school

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Charter School Commission voted Friday to approve the application from the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science to move to the contract phase that will result in becoming the first public charter school in Maine’s history focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It will be the third charter school approved by the Commission.

Baxter Academy aims to be a rigorous, college preparatory high school promoting student ownership of learning through curriculum focused specifically on STEM. Baxter plans to serve students with a strong interest in science technology, engineering and mathematics. Baxter’s intent is to help guide students to be passionate, self-directed learners by engaging their intellect and encouraging their imaginations through technology-rich project-based learning. Students at Baxter will follow a standards-based curriculum for English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and the arts. The program will be located on York Street in Portland.

In the first year, the school says it hopes to meet the needs of at least 150 students in grades 9 and 10. The school will add one more grade each year the next two years.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Friendly and Supportive Mornings with Your Young Child

Rockport, Maine - Ashwood Waldorf School will offer a 10-week session of Parent Child classes beginning on November 29. Classes are offered each Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and are intended for children 18 months to age three and a parent. In this 10-session class, early childhood educator Cherry Short-Lee will join with parents striving to create a warm, nurturing environment that seeks to surround the child with rhythm, reverence and adult gestures worthy of imitation.

“We hope that by coming to these classes, parents will gain a better understanding of child development by observing children at play,” said early childhood educator Cherry Short-Lee. “Parents will also learn about how important it is to care for the young child’s senses, as well as how to create healthy rhythms and discipline and relate to their children through play, song, story, and handwork.”

Designed to meet the social needs of young children while providing support for parents, Ashwood’s Parent and Child classes provide a warm and nurturing setting for families to come together and explore ways to nourish the wonder of early childhood. Each morning is filled with gentle activities such as circle rhymes, songs, bread making, a puppet story and outdoor and indoor play. Everyone shares in a delicious, organic snack.

The fee for the session is $250. Baby siblings up to 6 months old are welcome at no cost. A sibling over six months old may be enrolled for half of the tuition. For more information, or to receive a registration form, please contact Mark Ferrero at mferrero@ashwoodwaldorf.org or 207-236-8021. Additional sessions are offered throughout the year. www.ashwoodwaldorf.org

Located on Park Street in Rockport, Ashwood Waldorf School is an independent and accredited school with about 100 students serving children 3 years old through eighth grade. Parent/Child classes for children eighteen months through three years old are also offered during the school year. The rigorous Waldorf curriculum is designed to ignite the child’s imagination and develop capacities for creative and independent thinking. Ashwood has had a presence in midcoast Maine for 26 years, enrolling children from Damariscotta to Belfast and beyond. For more information about Ashwood Waldorf School please call the office at 207-236-8021, email info@ashwoodwaldorf.org or visit www.ashwoodwaldorf.org.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Graduate Certificate in Math Leadership Coming to URock

Rockland, Maine - Educators who wish to be math coaches, interventionists, RTI coordinators, Title 1 math teachers or grade-level team leaders will be able to enroll in a four-course graduate sequence at University College at Rockland offered by the University of Maine at Farmington.

An informational meeting will be held at University College at Rockland on Wednesday, November 14th at 4:00PM for potential participants to learn more.

Courses included in the graduate sequence are: Math Leadership in K-12 Settings; Mathematics Content Knowledge - The Math Within the the Common Core State Standards; Mathematics Pedagogical Knowledge; and, Mathematics Coaching.

Two faculty from the University of Maine at Farmington will describe the curriculum, enrollment and format at the November 14 information session. The tentative plan is to have each course meet face-to-face three times per semester per course with the remainder of the work delivered online.Planners are hopeful they will begin the course sequence this spring through University College at Rockland.

Those interested should contact University College at Rockland at 596-6906 for further information or to register for the November 14 information session.

Real Education Reform Puts Maine Students First

Governor LePage releases video urging Mainers to learn the truth
Augusta, Maine - Governor Paul R. LePage released a new video today highlighting recent education reform noting that the LePage Administration increased funding for public schools in 2011 by $63 million. In recent weeks, election advertisements have targeted education efforts claiming the Administration has undermined public schools in Maine.

“Thankfully, we are coming to an end of the ‘mean season.’ I look forward to working with legislators who want to put our students first,” Governor LePage said. I encourage any legislator who wishes to put Maine students ahead of politics; ahead of union rhetoric and partisan talking points; and most importantly, to give each and every student a shot at a brighter future, to join us in our work,” said Governor LePage.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Ashwood Waldorf School Earns Accreditation

Rockport, Maine - Ashwood Waldorf School, which serves children from nursery school through eighth grade, has recently received accreditation from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) as well as reaccreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The school, located in Rockport, was commended by AWSNA for its “rich, varied, age-appropriate program that builds a foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability, fostering inner strength and preparing children to thrive in a changing world.”

While Ashwood has been accredited by NEASC since 2002, this is the first time in the school’s 26-year history that it has received full accreditation as a member school in AWSNA. Such accreditation is seen as a defining moment in the life of a Waldorf school, demonstrating that it has achieved sufficient maturity to contribute to the Waldorf movement nationwide.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Bowen statement on new public charter schools proposals

Augusta, Maine - Commissioner Stephen Bowen issued the following statement Wednesday in response to the submission of five proposals to the Maine Charter School Commission to open charter schools in the fall of 2014.

“Public charter schools are an important part of the growing menu of public school choices for Maine students. Maine is on a clear path to providing more options to more students.

This is not an indictment of the schools we currently have. It reflects a growing understanding among Mainers that no one school can be all things to all students. And that it is our responsibility to help families find the right educational environment for their children. As Gov. LePage has said, the wealthy have always had choices; it is our responsibility to ensure that choosing the best choice is not solely the privilege of the privileged.”

For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website: www.maine.gov/doe

Five more submit public charter school proposals

Augusta, Maine - Five groups submitted proposals to open public charter schools in Maine by Wednesday’s deadline. They are the second round of proposals to the Maine Charter School Commission.

“We are very pleased to receive new applications which will provide future public school choices for students,” said Jana Lapoint, Commission chair. “This is exactly what public charter schools were supposed to do – give all students – not just those that can afford expensive private schools – additional choices. Our role is to review these proposals carefully to ensure they are viable and quality options for students.”

The five proposals were received from: Harpswell Coastal Academy, Harpswell; Heartwood Charter School, Kennebunk; Maine Connections Academy; Maine Virtual Academy; and Queen City Academy Charter School, Bangor. The applications will be posted online in about a week on the Commission website (www.maine.gov/csc).

Three groups that had earlier indicated they planned to submit did not do so by the deadline.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

EMCC STUDENT RECIPIENT OF BRIAN C. THAYER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Bangor, Maine - Eastern Maine Community College President Lawrence Barrett, Ed.D. is proud to announce that the Brian C. Thayer Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Randy Eastman of Greenbush, ME. The scholarship honors the life of the late Brian C. Thayer of of Lavalley Lumber and is made possible through the generosity of the Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine.

Eastman, an EMCC student , will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help meet the costs of his education.

“Carpentry has always been a passion of mine and upon completing this course I hope to secure a job in the field. I was just hired as a work study [at EMCC] and…I do odd jobs and handy work in my town to help pay my way. This scholarship will assist greatly in completing my goals,” commented Eastman.

President Barrett noted that,  “Randy exemplifies the quality of EMCC students at EMCC who are determined to advance their education in spite of  financial challenges. He is most deserving of this award.”

For more information on the Brian C. Thayer Memorial Scholarship , contact Terri Adam at (207) 974-4691 or email tadam@emcc.edu .

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Maine releases latest ed accountability results

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education released its annual report Thursday on the progress of schools under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The results show a majority of schools not attaining the targets set under the federal rules.

The results were expected, according to the Department – a result of the system’s reliance on a single test and ever-rising targets. Nonetheless, they point to a slow rate of progress among many Maine schools.

“Our schools are not doing worse this year than last year, but you wouldn’t know that from the way the federal AYP lists are calculated,” Bowen said. “This is why we, like most other states, have requested flexibility to do accountability differently. We expect to hear back shortly, and we think positively, from the U.S. Department of Education.”

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AT ROCKLAND OFFERS WIDE SELECTION OF BUSINESS PROGRAMS

Rockland, Maine - According to a 2012 report from industry analysis firm IBISWorld, business graduates have the most positive job outlook through 2017 because they are most likely to work in industries where above-average job and wage growth are expected. University College at Rockland offers a growing variety of business degree and certificate programs from the campuses of the University of Maine System.
Courses are taught by university faculty or are delivered via interactive television and videoconference. Many courses and programs are available entirely online.

More than 400 courses from Maine’s public universities are available at URock each semester, many of those in business and economics. Courses range from introductory level courses in business to advanced accounting. Students receive personalized support for their learning goals, including instruction on how to become a successful online learner.

UMS programs available entirely online include Business Administration, Accounting, Leadership and Organizational Studies, Healthcare Management, Public Management and Business and Entrepreneurial Studies. For a complete listing of online programs, visit online.maine.edu.

“Employers look for a broad range of skill sets that they can build upon,” said Deborah Meehan, Director of University College at Rockland. “The business programs available from the UMS campuses provide students with a strong set of professional skills that would be an asset in any field.” Meehan added that many students do internships witihin their program requirements. These experiences build resumes and often lead to direct employment.

Contact University College at Rockland at 596-6906 for more information and to schedule an advising session, or visit www.learn.maine.edu/rockland.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Maine’s first two charter schools open doors

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (MeANS) and Cornville Regional Charter School opened as Maine’s first two public charter schools Monday, providing new choices for Maine students.

Charter schools are public schools of choice that have more flexibility than traditional public schools over decisions concerning curriculum and instruction, scheduling, staffing and finance. The opening of the charter schools directly aligns with the LePage administration’s ABC plan, which aims to improve achievement growth in Maine by prioritizing three core areas: accountability, best practices, and choice.

“Another word for choice is option,” said Governor Paul LePage. “If we are striving for more successful outcomes for our students, we must offer multiple options. It is choices like the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences at Good Will-Hinckley and the Cornville Regional Charter School that will help us meet the needs of all students, and meeting the needs of all students is the only way we improve our educational system.”

Commissioner Stephen Bowen spoke at the MeANS event, which was attended by politicians, business leaders, educators and others. Deborah Friedman, director of policy and programs, represented the Department at Cornville’s quieter flag-raising ceremony, attended by parents and community members.

“For over a year, the Governor and I have been saying we must do something different because what we’ve been doing has not been working,” said Commissioner Bowen. “Public charter schools are an important part of an effort to give families and students more choices, and to foster more innovation in Maine schools.”

MeANS provides innovative education to at-risk, but motivated students through a hands-on educational platform that combines traditional academic content with agriculture, forestry and sustainability. The program partners with Kennebec Valley Community College to permit students to take college courses for dual credit. Forty-six students from across Maine are currently enrolled in MeANS, which boasts a residential living program made possible through a public-private partnership.

“The vision that came from the Governor was that we would have a place where students who wanted to have a new high school experience, who were not necessarily clicking or feeling like they were where they wanted to be…[could] try a hands-on learning experience,” said Glenn Cummings, president and executive director  of Good Will-Hinckley. “They would experience us as a place of success.”

Students Nicholas Fothergill and Olivia Broadrick explained during MeANS’ ceremony why they decided to attend Good Will-Hinckley.

“I like working outside, and I like doing stuff with my hands,” said Fothergill, a junior boarding student from Hermon. “We devote three quarters of our day to outdoor projects. My goal ultimately is to become a Maine state fishing and game officer, and I feel like this school will help me ultimately reach that goal.”

Broadrick, a senior from York, chose MeANS based on her heavy involvement with the 4-H Youth Development Organization and interest in the outdoors. “Everything I’ve ever considered going into a career for has centered on the natural sciences,” Broadrick said. “[Good Will-Hinckley] is hands-on and self-directed—I can learn how I learn best.”

Cornville students began their first day of school at the flag pole on the front lawn. A group of students raised the American flag that had been saved when the school ended its run as a traditional public school two years ago. After ceremony attendees said the Pledge of Allegiance to the old flag, the students lowered it and raised a new American flag to represent the opening of the charter school.

Cornville’s Executive Director Justin Belanger told the gathered students, parents and staff that they were taking part in a “historic event” in Maine.

The Maine Charter School Commission is authorized to approve up to 10 public charter schools over the next decade.

Gov. LePage has made choices for students a cornerstone of his education agenda, proposing legislation last year that would make it possible for students to enroll at public schools outside the district in which they live. The Legislature amended his proposal, approving the creation of a group to develop a model for public school choice. The group’s second meeting was scheduled for this afternoon and the group is scheduled to report back to the Legislature in January. Meanwhile, LePage has said he is likely to propose additional school choice legislation in the coming legislative session, which begins in January.

For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website: www.maine.gov/doe

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Maine wins grant to help 17 schools w/teacher, leader evaluation systems‏

Augusta, Maine - Seventeen Maine schools will share a nearly $25 million grant to build systems that recognize and reward great teachers and school leaders. The federal grant will be used to improve educator evaluation systems, reward effective teachers and principals, and provide greater professional opportunities.

The 17 schools are in six districts: RSU 16 (Poland area); RSU 19 (Newport); Millinocket; Bangor; MSAD 11 (Gardiner); and RSU 86 (Fort Fairfield).

“Both administrators and teachers want the same thing – fair and realistic measures for performance, professional development and help in improving teaching skills, and a system that rewards excellent teachers,” said Gov. Paul LePage. “This will allow more districts to engage in this work and more importantly, help them develop models that other Maine school districts can adopt or adapt for their needs.”

Already 18 schools in five school districts across Maine are doing similar work through the Maine Schools for Excellence program, which is funded through an earlier Teacher Incentive Fund grant. Teachers and administrators work together in those districts to develop evaluation instruments for their staff members that will take students' academic growth and achievement into account and offer teachers a constant stream of feedback about their practice from peers, supervisors, students and parents.

Maine is one two states and 33 school systems or non-profits to be approved for this new round of TIF grants, out of more than 120 applicants.

The work is closely aligned to the requirements of Governor LePage’s educator effectiveness bill, LD 1858, An Act To Ensure Effective Teaching and School Leadership, which passed in April 2012, and which requires school districts to develop or adopt high quality teacher and leader evaluation systems. These systems are to based on clear standards, incorporate multiple measures of effectiveness, including student achievement and growth, and are to be used to provide feedback for professional development.

“Systemic changes to standards, curricula, instructional practices and assessment will achieve little if efforts are not made to ensure that every learner has access to highly effective teachers and school leaders,” said Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen. “Indeed, as the governor has said repeatedly, no other school-based factor is more important to learner outcomes than the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders. That’s why this work is so important, and why it’s so important that we get it right.”

Participating districts will build performance pay compensation models utilizing the frameworks implemented under the existing Maine Schools for Excellence program.  However, districts will have some flexibility in terms of specific incentive amounts and criteria for payouts.

For more information on the Maine Schools for Excellence, see: www.maine.gov/doe/excellence/.

For information about the Teacher Incentive Fund, see the U.S. Department of Education website: www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherincentive/awards.html.

For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website: www.maine.gov/doe

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Maine Students Recognized as College Board State AP® Scholars

Augusta, Maine - Governor Paul LePage announced today that two Maine high school students received the College Board State AP® Scholar Awards based on their outstanding performance on the 2012 Advanced Placement® Exams. Ethan N. Dininno, of Cape Elizabeth High School, and Mary M. Carmack, of John Bapst Memorial High School, are among 108 students nationwide to receive this honor.

“I would like to congratulate Mary and Ethan for earning this prestigious award,” said Governor LePage. “They are incredibly capable students, and I see bright futures for them both. I hope that upon their graduation they will return to Maine and enter into our strengthening workforce.”

This is the 22nd annual celebration of State AP Scholars. The College Board awards this distinction to the top male and female student from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP exams taken.

The College Board’s AP Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams. Dininno and Carmack are studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, respectively.

Founded in 1900, the College Board is a not-for-profit organization which expands access to higher education. Today, their membership is made up of more than 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.

For more information on the College Board’s AP Scholar Awards, visit: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/scholarawards.html