Carpenter, J., Crabtree, D., Johnston, S., & Barbour, M.K. (2012, October). New research on online learning: Strategies to support learning - 2. A panel presentation at the annual Virtual School Symposium, New Orleans, LA. The presentations in this session look at practices that support students in online and blended environments. Marley Belair will present the results of how telephone and email communication practices contribute to student success; Debi Crabtree will describe a blended learning program for middle school students doing TCAP (TN) preparation; and Sharon Johnston and Michael Barbour will discuss the AP exam performance of online students at FLVS compared to students in traditional schools.

1. Measuring Success:
Examining Achievement and
Perceptions of Online
Advanced Placement Students
Sharon Johnston, Ed.D.
Consultant
Michael Barbour, Ph.D.
Wayne State University

2. Purpose
To determine if the online AP
students are as successful as
their peers in traditional
environments.

3. Research
Research Questions
Questions
1. How do AP students enrolled in FLVS courses
perform compared to non-FLVS students in the
State of Florida and nationally?
2. What are some of the characteristics of
students that participate in AP courses offered
by FLVS?
3. How do AP students enrolled in FLVS courses
perceive their online AP course compared to
their face-to-face courses?

4. Research Q1
2009 AP Exam Results
1 2 3 4 5 Qualifying
FLVS
(online)
N-1,273 18% 13%
28%
scores 21% 20% 51%
AP Exam
Required
Florida
(traditiona
l)
14% 8%
N=145,389
28% 27 % 23 % 45%
scores
AP Exam
required in
some
National
districts
(mostly 19% 13%
20% 24 % 24 % 56%
not
online)
N=1,653,9
62 scores

5. 2010 AP Exam Results Research Q1
1 2 3 4 5 Qualifying
FLVS
N=2,326 26% 21% 20% 18% 15% 53%
AP Exam
required
Florida
(not online) 31% 26% 21% 13% 9% 43%
N= 171,724
AP Exam
required in
some
districts
National
(mostly not 21% 22% 24% 19% 14 % 57%
online)
N=1,802,144
AP Exam
optional

6. Research Q1
2011 AP Exam Results
1 2 3 4 5 Qualifying
FLVS 55%
N=2,694 20% 16%
24% 21% 19%
AP Exam
required
Florida 43%
(not online) 14% 8%
34% 24% 21%
N=181,934
AP Exam
required in
some
districts
National 56%
(mostly not 19% 14%
21% 23%
online) 23%
N=1,926,204
AP Exam

7. Giving AP Access to the Research Q2
Underserved
“In the class of 2011, the numbers of traditionally
underserved minority students participating and
succeeding in AP continued to increase. However,
these students remain underrepresented . . . .”
College Board, 2012
FLVS gives priority enrollment to students
in minority, low performing, and
economically disadvantaged schools.

8. Research Q2
2011 Demographics
Minority White Not Stated
FLVS
N=2,694 45.99 % 54.01 0%
students
Florida
(not online) 47.25% 48.78% 3.97%
N=181,934
National
(mostly not 39.26 % 57.37 % 3.37%
online)
N=1,926,204
The data indicate that AP online is effective in increasing AP minority
participation.

9. Research Q3
Differences in study
time
Time spent on AP course FLVS Brick-and-Mortar
weekly
1-3 hours 13% 15%
4-6 hours 40% 33%
7-10 hours 28 % 35%
More than 10 hours 19 % 17%

10. Comparing the two Research Q3
delivery modes
Difficulty level
57% of the students said that it is easier or about the same
in their FLVS course, while 43% said that it is harder or
much harder.
Quality
71% of the students perceived their FLVS course as the
same or better quality as brick-and-mortar.
Engagement
The five students interviewed felt that their brick-and-mortar
courses were more engaging because of class discussions,
debates, Socratic seminars, and role playing.

11. Conclusions
Online and face-to-face classroom delivery
models can meet the academic needs of students
enrolled in AP courses.
The impact and data of allowing students to opt
out of taking AP exams as a result of academic,
social or economic pressures is a subject for
further study.
Online programs should continue to find ways to
engage students with open-ended dialogue and
the Socratic method of teaching and learning.