The recent series of features and editorials on the subject of Advanced Placement achievement in Maryland left an incomplete picture and unfair impression of Dorchester County Public Schools ("AP is not for everyone," Aug. 24).
Over the last several years, we have pursued strategic initiatives to provide our children with a variety of program options to fulfill our mission that every child finish his or her program of study and become college and career ready. Notable among these are the construction of a new Dorchester Career and Technology Center to increase the number of technical career completer programs from 11 to 20, and securing a dual enrollment grant that has significantly increased our student participation in college credit bearing courses.
In the realm of Advanced Placement, Dorchester County schools secured an Advanced Placement Incentive Program (APIP) grant. These resources have enabled us to provide focused professional development for teachers and supplemental opportunities for Advanced Placement students. As a result, the percentage of our graduating cohort of 2012 (the latest year for which data are available) scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam was on the same tier as counties such as Garrett, Allegany, Harford, Prince Georges, Charles, Kent, Caroline, Wicomico, and Talbot.
We are proud of, but not satisfied with, this progress and the greater opportunity for personal success that it portends for our students.
Henry V. Wagner, Jr., Cambridge
The writer is superintendent of Dorchester County Public Schools.