For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – Tomahawk High School (THS) was recently recognized for its high participation and achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
The Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI), in partnership with the Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council, on Friday, Aug. 18, announced that 142 schools had received 2022 Advanced Placement Pacesetter Awards.
In a release, DPI said the Advanced Placement Pacesetter Awards are “unique to Wisconsin and represent a celebration of excellence from students across the state.”
“AP courses provide students with the opportunity for challenging college-level work and potentially earning college credit while in high school,” DPI stated. “Awards are presented to schools that have high participation in AP courses and have high percentages of students who earn a score of three or higher on the AP exam and are therefore eligible for college credit.”
The Pacesetter awards use data from the 2021-2022 school year and are broken down into three levels, which are awarded based on the combination of the AP student participation rate as well as the percent of students earning a score of three or higher.
Level One requires 30% or more of all student participation in at least one AP exam and 70% or more of those students earning scores of 3 or above on the exams.
Level Two requires 20% or more of all student participation in at least one AP exam and 65% or more of those students earning scores of 3 or above on the exams.
Level Three requires 10% or more of all student participation in at least one AP exam and 60% or more of those students earning scores of 3 or above on the exams.
THS was among the Level Three award recipients. Other area high schools receiving Level Three recognition included Chequamegon, Lakeland Union, Mosinee, Northland Pines and Wausau West.
“Of the state’s 421 public school districts, 332 offer AP courses and exams,” DPI stated. “However, of 1,987 public high schools within these districts, only 410 offer AP courses and exams, signifying patterns of inequity across the state.”
DPI said these inequities include “a lack of educational opportunities, inadequate mental health supports and resources, an absence of investment in STEM education and access to nutritious meals – all which support students’ well-being and academic achievement.”
“Access alone is not sufficient, as there is a need to further support learners and address these inequities to increase the levels of student participation and success in AP courses,” DPI stated.
For more information on AP in Wisconsin and the AP Pacesetter Awards, visit www.dpi.wi.gov/ap.
To view a full list of 2022 Advanced Placement Pacesetter award recipients, broken down by levels, visit www.tinyurl.com/3v5u4kyj.