The instruction modules are open online.

Inside Higher Ed reports.

Davidson College Launches Advanced Placement Test Preparation Modules

Davidson College is today launching a series of online test preparation modules through massive open online course provider edX to help high school students and teachers in Advanced Placement courses.

The initiative, known as Davidson Next, has been in the works since late 2013, when the college brought together the College Board, edX, regional schools and other partners to increase access to college-level course materials. Using data from the College Board, faculty members identified low-scoring question topics in calculus, macroeconomics and physics and, working with local high school teachers, built standalone modules to help students understand each concept.

“A big concern for our president [Carol Quillen] and the institution right now is trying to expand access to high-quality instructional materials, both for people coming to Davidson and also nationally,” said Patrick Sellers, vice president for strategic partnerships and professor of political science at Davidson. “This effort really fits into that focus on access.”

The modules are available to anyone through edX, but the initiative is particularly concerned with expanding access to underserved students. A recent study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research showed students who came to college with AP credit were more likely to graduate from college within four years, yet many low-income, minority and rural students lack access to the courses.