A New AP Business Course Aims to Cultivate Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Skills The College Board, the organization behind the Advanced Placement (AP) program, has launched a new course titled AP Business with Personal Finance, set to debut in the fall of 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by College Board CEO David Coleman, seeks to equip high school students with practical skills in financial management, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial mindset. Coleman, a former architect of the Common Core State Standards, emphasized that the course represents a shift toward preparing students for the complexities of modern economies, where adaptability and financial literacy are critical. The course is one of two new career-focused AP offerings for the 2026 academic year, with the other being AP Cybersecurity. Both are designed to be rigorous, college-level programs that bridge academic theory with real-world applications. In AP Business with Personal Finance, students will explore core business concepts such as finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, and management while integrating personal finance topics. The curriculum is structured to encourage students to apply these principles to their own financial lives, fostering confidence in managing resources and pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Coleman described business as a "new liberal art for our time," arguing that understanding business and personal finance is essential for students to translate their passions into tangible outcomes. He highlighted the growing concerns about job displacement due to artificial intelligence, noting that the course aims to empower students to adapt to a rapidly changing economic landscape. "Success in business and in life requires constantly adapting to change," Coleman stated.#northwestern #college_board #mit #david_coleman #ap_business_with_personal_finance
AI Use in High Schools Sparks Concern Among Students A growing number of high school students are expressing alarm over the widespread use of artificial intelligence in their academic work, citing concerns about declining motivation, diminished critical thinking skills, and a perceived erosion of the learning process. Interviews with students from four New Hampshire schools reveal a crisis unfolding in classrooms, where AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being used to complete assignments, often without detection or consequences. Faith Dudley, a junior at Concord Christian Academy, described a moment that epitomized the issue. During a class, her teacher confronted a friend about using AI on an assignment. The friend denied it, but Dudley later questioned him privately. The teacher’s suspicions proved correct, and Dudley was unsettled by the revelation. While she acknowledges AI’s utility as a study aid, she draws a clear line against submitting work directly generated by machines. This dilemma reflects a broader trend. According to a College Board study, 84% of high schoolers reported using AI for schoolwork last year. In New Hampshire, students described unauthorized use as “very prevalent.” Martin Pennington, a Concord High senior, estimated that 80% of his classmates had used AI in ways that violate school policies. “Among students, it’s kind of open how much kids use AI for assignments,” he said. The rapid adoption of AI has fundamentally altered the high school experience, even for students who self-regulate their use. Interviews with eight students from four schools highlighted a crisis marked by reduced motivation, cognitive decline, and a sense of hopelessness about addressing the issue.#college_board #new_hampshire #concord_high #concord_christian_academy #martin_pennington
Florida Legislature Approves Bill to Expand College-Readiness Courses Competing With AP Florida’s state legislature recently passed a bill aimed at expanding the state’s college-readiness program, known as Florida Advanced Courses and Test (FACT), to compete with nationally recognized programs like Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). The legislation includes financial incentives for school districts and educators, offering teachers a $50 bonus for each student who earns a qualifying grade on a FACT exam. These bonuses are comparable to those provided for AP and IB courses, according to Politico. The FACT initiative originated in 2023 amid tensions between Florida’s state government and the College Board over the inclusion of AP African American studies courses. Last fall, the state launched its first pilot FACT courses in algebra at select high schools. While public Florida colleges and universities accept FACT credits, institutions in other states do not recognize them, limiting the program’s broader impact. Some Democratic lawmakers have questioned the rigor of FACT courses, arguing they may not meet the standards of AP or IB programs. They also expressed concerns that parents might mistakenly believe FACT scores could provide an advantage in college admissions beyond Florida. Democratic state representative Felicia Simone Robinson highlighted these worries, stating, “Who is making up these advanced courses, and are they truly equivalent…? If we are, and this is a course we’re just making up for Florida and it’s not necessarily equivalent to AP and IB courses, then we’re putting our students at a disadvantage when they’re trying to compete against other students in the United States.#college_board #florida_legislature #advanced_placement #international_baccalaureate #felicia_simone_robinson
Three STISD High Schools Recognized for AP Excellence College Board has honored three high schools in the South Texas Independent School District (STISD) for their outstanding performance in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, adding them to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll. The recognition highlights the district’s commitment to providing rigorous academic opportunities and preparing students for college and career success. The schools honored are South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Health Professions in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito. Each institution was acknowledged for its strong academic results and efforts to expand access to college-level courses. The AP School Honor Roll celebrates institutions that support student success through AP programs, which help students earn college credit and build foundational skills for higher education. Science Academy received the highest distinction, Platinum, and was also awarded the AP Access Award for ensuring equitable participation across student demographics. Among the Class of 2025, 98% took at least one AP exam, 61% earned a score of 3 or higher on at least one exam, and half of the students completed five or more AP courses. Health Professions and Medical Professions both earned Gold-level recognition. At Health Professions, 100% of the Class of 2025 took at least one AP exam, with 46% achieving a score of 3 or higher and 27% completing five or more AP courses. Medical Professions also achieved 100% AP participation, with 44% earning a score of 3 or higher and 48% taking five or more AP exams. STISD Superintendent Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., praised the schools for their dedication to student achievement.#college_board #south_texas_isd_science_academy #south_texas_isd_health_professions #south_texas_isd_medical_professions #dr_marco_antonio_lara_jr
College Board Recognizes GCPS Schools for AP School Honor Roll Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) celebrated the announcement that 16 of its schools have been named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll by the College Board. This recognition highlights institutions that are expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses while delivering strong academic outcomes for students. The honor roll acknowledges schools that excel in three key areas: college culture, college credit, and college optimization, with distinctions awarded at four levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These criteria reflect efforts to increase AP participation, prepare students for college credit, and encourage engagement with advanced academic opportunities. The College Board’s recognition is based on research-backed metrics that link AP participation to college success. To qualify, schools must meet specific benchmarks: for college optimization, at least 2% of the graduating class must take five or more AP exams, with at least one taken in 9th or 10th grade to spread the academic load. For college credit, 25% of graduates must score a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. College culture requires 40% of graduates to take at least one AP exam. Of the 497 schools that met these criteria, 39% earned a place on the 2025 Honor Roll. GCPS Director of Accelerated Programs & Gifted Education Dr. Keena Ryals-Jenkins emphasized the significance of the honor, stating that it reflects a school’s commitment to academic excellence and rigorous preparation. “AP courses provide students with opportunities to engage in college-level scholarship, strengthen critical-thinking skills, and develop habits essential for postsecondary success,” she said. The recognition highlights both student performance on AP exams and the breadth of advanced coursework available.#college_board #gwinnett_county_public_schools #dr_keena_ryalsjenkins #duluth_hs
