LBUSD 3 Schools Win AP Diversity Honor

Long Beach CA

11 February, 2021

9:32 PM

Description

Press release from the Long Beach Unified School District: February 12, 2021 Cabrillo and Lakewood high schools, along with the California Academy of Mathematics and Science, have earned the College Board Advanced Placement Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles classes. The honor is the second for Cabrillo, which received the award in 2019. The winning schools have expanded young women's access to AP computer science courses. A total of 1,119 schools were recognized for their work toward equal gender representation during the 2019-20 school year, nearly 37% more than the 818 schools recognized in 2018-19. Winning schools have achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one or both of the AP computer science courses, or the percentage of female computer science examinees meets or exceeds that of the school's female population. "Congratulations to our AP Computer Science students and teachers," CAMS Principal Cheryl Cornejo said. "During these unprecedented times, we are so proud of the young ladies that have shown such persistence and dedication. I look forward to what you can accomplish in the future!" The introduction of the AP Computer Science Principles course in 2016 was the largest course launch in AP Program history. Providing female students with access to computer science courses helps to ensure gender parity in high-paying technology jobs and to drive innovation, creativity and competition. A 2014 Google study found that women are more likely to pursue computer science if they are given the opportunity to explore it in high school. This press release was produced by the Long Beach Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.