High school students across the country and in Hutchinson have just finished taking the tests that determine if they receive college credit for Advanced Placement courses.

The program has expanded during the years to include 37 courses across 22 subject areas. At Hutchinson High School, the newest addition to the AP roster is Advanced Placement statistics, which was added at the beginning of this year.

Math teacher Jodi Hunter participated in the 3M TWIST program when the idea to offer a more challenging statistics class came to her. TWIST, or Teachers Working in Science and Technology, allows a group of K-12 math and science teachers to spend six weeks during the summer working along industry personnel on a 3M project.

“I saw how much statistics were used there and I thought we could do more,” Hunter said. “Statistics are used widely throughout all types of industry.”

After discussing it with Principal Ron Johnson, AP statistics was added to the already available Advanced Placement classes in calculus, English, American history, American government and biology.

Last year, a total of 118 students enrolled in AP courses. That number increased to 185 this year and continues on an upward trend with 187 enrolled for fall AP classes.

For the full story, check out the Thursday, May 15 print edition of the Leader.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com