CHARLESTON —The West Virginia Center for Professional Development (WVCPD) has announced the 2010 class of Advanced Placement (AP) Rising Scholars. These students passed at least three AP exams during high school to receive this distinguished honor. The College Board named 186 West Virginia high school students as rising scholars representing the fifth consecutive year for a record-breaking number of scholars in the state. Chapmanville High School student William Baldwin was among this year's class.

Advanced Placement is a highly regarded, nationally-recognized program sponsored by the College Board. It offers high school students an opportunity to take college courses and receive college credit before entering college. WVCPD provides educators the professional development needed to enhance AP classroom instruction and effectiveness. Students enroll in AP courses and complete classroom assignments and exams during the school year. However, the College Board-sanctioned AP exam taken in May determines whether the student will be eligible for college credit. Most students take the courses at their high schools, while some classes are offered online.

In addition to the Rising Scholars, WVCPD recognized two State Scholars. These are the male and female students who have passed the most AP exams during their high school careers. This year's Male AP State Scholar is Bayan Misaghi, and the Female State Scholar is Hana Glasser. Both students are graduates of George Washington High School in Charleston.

WVCPD also welcomed new schools to the program that have not had Rising Scholars in the past. This indicates that more schools are offering AP courses and experiencing success with their students. National data points to the need to increase rigor in the classroom in order to increase student achievement in core content areas.

"For five consecutive years, we have seen the number of our Rising Scholars increase as a result of schools, communities, parents, and educational organizations and boards working together," explained Karen Linville, director of WVCPD's Advanced Placement Program.

WVCPD recognized the scholars and their families during a dinner at the Charleston Civic Center North Hall on Friday, December 17, 2010. First Lady Joanne Tomblin provided special remarks.