1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring Columbia Heights High School on being named Advanced
1.3Placement Small District of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, Advanced Placement (AP) can save students college tuition when they earn
1.5college credit while still in high school; and
1.6WHEREAS, from 2013 to 2015, Columbia Heights Public Schools increased student
1.7participation in AP by 26 percent annually and the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on
1.8at least one AP exam by six percent annually; and
1.9WHEREAS, the schools also increased the percentage of traditionally underrepresented
1.10minority AP students earning a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam by 62 percent annually, an
1.11increase of 30 students since 2013; and
1.12WHEREAS, 48 percent of all AP students scored a 3 or higher in 2015; and
1.13WHEREAS, the first classes at Columbia Heights were held in 2000 with 50 students;
1.14now, 290 are enrolled, and thousands of staff and students have participated; and
1.15WHEREAS, the district has dramatically increased both the number of students taking
1.16AP courses and tests, 52 percent in two years, and for the percentage of students scoring well
1.17on the AP exams; and
1.18WHEREAS, Columbia Heights was the only school with nearly 50 percent enrollment of
1.19American Indian, African American, or Latino students among new AP students; and
1.20WHEREAS, clearly, the rich curriculum and excellent educators at Columbia Heights
1.21Public Schools are doing great things for their students; and
1.22WHEREAS, on April 6, 2016, a wonderful ceremony was held at Columbia Heights High
1.23School in celebration of their recent honor, being named Advanced Placement Small District of
1.24the Year, with a place on the national College Board's District Honor Roll; and
1.25NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.26congratulates the students, teachers, and staff of Columbia Heights High School on being named
1.27Advanced Placement Small District of the Year.
1.28BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare
1.29an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of
1.30the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the principal
1.31of Columbia Heights High School.

1.32 1.33 1.34

JoAnne M. Zoff Secretary of the Senate

Thomas M. Bakk Chair, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

1.35 1.36

Barb Goodwin State Senator, District 41