News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2003

Lumina Foundation helps 11 local high schools offer college-level courses to more students

Indiana lags behind other states in providing advanced college-prep options.

INDIANAPOLIS — A recent study by the National Science Foundation noted that too few college-level courses are offered in high schools to meet the demand. Strong academic preparation, including earned college credits, is a strong predictor of success in postsecondary education. "Advancing Academic Excellence" — a new program from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation for Education — aims to provide more Indianapolis students with the opportunity to jump-start their college experience.

Lumina Foundation invited all Marion County public high schools to apply for a grant through Advancing Academic Excellence. The Foundation is awarding $330,000 to expand the number of courses and diversity of students who earn college credits at the 11 Marion County public high schools that applied for a grant: Ben Davis High School, Emmerich Manual High School, Franklin Central High School, Lawrence North High School, Decatur Central High School, North Central High School, Northwest High School, Perry Meridian High School, Pike High School, Southport High School and Warren Central High School.

Expanding the programs to more students requires more specially certified teachers to lead advanced course offerings at each school. The Foundation is providing two forms of funding to prepare students academically for postsecondary education: professional development for teachers and test- and student-support services, including test and tuition subsidies for low-income students.

"According to a national study by the U.S. Department of Education, a rigorous academic curriculum in high school - more than any other pre-college indicator - improves a student's chance of graduating from college and levels the playing field for all students who aspire to a postsecondary education," said Martha D. Lamkin, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation. "Lumina Foundation strives to ensure that local students have the courses and financial support to prepare themselves for a college education."

Advancing Academic Excellence expands on the positive work already in place in Indiana to provide college-level courses to more students. According to College Board data, Indiana student participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses between 1992 and 2002 nearly doubled to 11,425. However, Indiana still lags behind other states in the area of academic achievement. Research from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education notes that only 45 per 1,000 Indiana high school juniors and seniors in college-level courses receive grades sufficient to earn college credit. This figure compares to 157 students in Connecticut, 158 students in Utah and 164 students in New York.

High schools can offer three college-level options — AP, International Baccalaureate and high school-college partnerships. The AP program offers college-level courses with achievement exams in select secondary schools. High school students who score well enough on the exams earn college credit. Most schools in Marion County offer Advanced Placement programs on a limited scale.

The International Baccalaureate Program also provides college curriculum to high school students. The program, a comprehensive, two-year course, incorporates best practices of education from a number of countries, while allowing students to fulfill requirements of their national and local educational systems. North Central High School currently is the only public high school in Marion County currently offering this program.

High school-college partnerships offer dual credit to students. Marion County schools currently partner with Indiana University, Vincennes University, Indiana State University and The University of Indianapolis.

"Lumina Foundation primarily supports programs with a national focus on access and success in postsecondary education," said Lamkin. "As an Indiana-based foundation, Lumina Foundation will, from time-to-time, fund special programs, such as Advancing Academic Excellence, to improve college access and success in its home community."

Representatives from high schools participating in Advancing Academic Excellence are meeting today at Lumina Foundation to share information and discuss options to expand and improve college-level course work at their schools.

Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through research, grants for innovative programs and communication initiatives, Lumina Foundation addresses issues surrounding access and success — particularly among underserved student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.

For more information, contact Sara Murray-Plumer, director of communications at (317) 951-5493 or splumer@luminafoundation.org.