Students at Clarksville-Montgomery County School System can win a brand-new Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio鈥攐r other prizes, such as gift cards鈥攊f they score a 3 or higher on exams.
Editor’s Note: Nuts and Bolts delves into how a school or district developed an innovative program.
Each year, the number of high school students in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System who take and pass AP class exams continues to rise. It helps that students know they can win a brand-new Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio鈥攐r other prizes, such as gift cards鈥攊f they score a 3 or higher on exams.
The Tennessee district holds pre-test pep rallies where students at its seven high schools can see the cars they will try to win.
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
Total students: 34,702
24 elementary schools鈥17,417 students
7 middle schools鈥7,762 students
7 high schools (plus one at Austin Peay State University) with 9,523 students
Getting in gear
In 2007, only a handful of students enrolled in AP courses鈥攁nd even fewer passed. Clarksville-Montgomery sought to increase participation and achievement with an annual car giveaway. A local dealership, Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group, signed on as sponsor.
In addition, other businesses, such as the Beach Oil Company and Domino’s, provide gift cards. Domino’s also supplies pizza for the pep rallies.
The district’s education foundation raises between $5,000 and $9,000 from dinner auctions and other events. It also collects donated tablets and laptops to give as prizes.
Driving to success
2008
883鈥攕tudent participation in AP
297鈥攕tudents who passed AP exams
34 percent pass rate*
2017
1,182鈥攕tudent participation in AP
647鈥攕tudents who passed AP exams
50 percent pass rate*
*The national pass rate average is approximately 20 percent
Lubricating the machine: The AP program
For the AP classes and exams, all seven high schools receive grants from the National Math and Science Institute. Schools collaborate on goals, and educators host study sessions for students.
Additionally, Wyatt Johnson funds summer PD sessions for AP teachers.
Revving the engine: The main event
Students get their prizes at 鈥淧ass and Go!鈥 The event is held in late July, a few weeks after the AP Board releases exam results.
鈥淭his gives us enough time to get letters to students that say, 鈥楥ongrats! You passed your exam and are invited to Pass and Go!,’鈥 says Abby Binkley, the education foundation’s executive director.
Students receive one key for each AP exam they passed and then progress through various elimination rounds. The student whose key says 鈥渨inner鈥 in the final round wins one of the three vehicles.
鈥淭he program has become a well-oiled machine over the years,鈥 says Binkley. 鈥淲e did have to change the rules because students tried to 鈥榖eat’ the system, and they sometimes did. But it makes sense鈥攖hey’re smart kids.鈥
