CCHS Teachers Serve as AP Test Readers

Two Central Catholic teachers recently served as AP test readers.  They were employed by the College Board this summer to read (grade) thousands of AP tests in their subjects.  This is an intense and rewarding professional development experience that makes our teachers even stronger in preparing our AP level students for the tests and for college success.

Patrice Brock, who teaches AP Biology, Anatomy, Ecology, and Forensic Science to grades 10-12 at Central Catholic, worked as an AP Biology reader.  Patrice has been teaching at CCHS for seven years.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Northwestern University and a Master of Education degree from The University of Toledo.

This was Patrice’s fourth year reading AP exams.  In a normal year, the readers travel to different venues by subject to read the tests in person, but the past two years have been virtual reading experiences.  Exam booklets were scanned and sent to readers through a secure online platform.  Readers are assigned to a single exam question, and depending on the subject and the length of responses, they may read 1,000-2,000 exams.  All AP exams are graded within a two-week window in June. 

“AP exams are complex, with increasing emphasis placed on not just knowing the information, but being able to analyze and synthesize given data with your own knowledge,” Brock explained.  “I wanted to learn the expectations and best practices established by the College Board so that I could more effectively guide my students.  AP exams are an important part of AP classes.  They require students to work at a high level and help prepare them for college.

“I have found this experience has made me much more effective as an AP teacher.  I have learned the various ways questions can be worded as well as the key points expected in a response.  On a classroom level, I have gained so much knowledge and shared experience.”

Stan Sylak, a 2006 CCHS graduate, has been teaching at Central Catholic for four years.  He teaches AP Government and Politics, American Government, Economics, Rights & Protests of the 20th Century, and World Studies.  He has a bachelor’s degree in education and a second bachelor’s degree in history from The University of Toledo, and he worked as an AP Government reader.

Sylak scored over 2,000 responses for the exam.  He wanted to get involved because he heard that it was an exceptional professional development experience that helps the teacher to really understand how to aid students in preparing for the AP exam.  “It gave me a better understanding of how the responses are scored so I can help my students get better practice during this school year,” he said.

These teachers go through specific training before reading the tests.  A comprehensive rubric is developed by the exam leaders, and teachers are trained on that rubric.  The emphasis is on whether the students display a deep enough understanding of the concept being tested, and they review specific vocabulary and key ideas.  Over 250,000 students may take each exam, so readers are trained in the various ways the students might answer the specific question, and still show understanding.  They also grade sample responses for training and calibration before they actually start grading on their own.

“I’m very impressed with the attention given to each and every test,” Brock said.  “After tests are graded by readers like me, our table leaders (they supervise 8-10 readers) will ‘back-read’ some of our tests to check for accuracy.  Some of those tests are back-read again by the question leader.  If I have a question about a response I am reading, I can discuss it with fellow readers or my table leader.  This helps me give the student every opportunity to earn points on that question.” 

AP teachers can apply to be exam readers after teaching the course for three years.  After reviewing applications, the College Board sends invitations to eligible readers.  Their performance is reviewed each year to determine if they will be invited to read the next year.  All expenses are covered by the College Board - there are no expenses to the reader or the school district.

“I believe every AP teacher would benefit from this experience,” said Brock.  “Being able to talk to the people who write the test questions, participating in the actual grading of exams, and spending time with dedicated professionals has been one of the richest professional development experiences of my career.”