Description

Passing the exam is only the beginning of this inspiring story. When Andrew Sharos began teaching Advanced Placement US History (APUSH), his school’s AP track record was far from impressive. The school’s average AP score was just 2.7 out of 5, and only 18 percent of APUSH students at that school had passed the AP exam the year before. But in his first year as an APUSH instructor, Sharos saw dramatic success as 92 percent of his students passed the exam. Remarkably, in following years, he achieved a perfect exam pass rate of 100 percent, a striking contrast to the national APUSH exam average of around 50 percent.

What makes the story even more compelling are the immense obstacles faced by Sharos’s students. Attending a suburban Chicago-area high school, many of these students confront significant financial challenges, juggling full-time jobs, hunger, and numerous hardships that make daily life difficult. Yet despite these hurdles, they learned they could overcome the odds and achieve exceptional academic results.

Offering more than just inspiration, this book is about transforming AP classrooms and programs. “All 4s and 5s” serves as a practical resource for teaching AP courses and managing effective AP programs. Featuring twenty-five proven classroom strategies and twenty-five effective program methods, this guide will empower educators to create a culture where students thrive academically and personally.