Lawrence School Teacher Wins 2024 AP CSP Female Diversity Award

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Lawrence High School math teacher Christine Read was honored with the 2024 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award.

The honor was given by the College Board for achieving over 50 percent female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). This national recognition reflects her dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in computer science education.

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses.

Award contenders must either have reached 50 percent or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.

Lawrence High School was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.

“We’re thrilled to congratulate Ms. Read and her female AP computer science students on this step toward equal representation in computer science education,” Robyn Klim, Superintendent of Schools, said in a statement.

“We’re honored that our school earned this distinction and look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers.”

AP Computer Science Principles, which first launched in the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. I

Here are some facts from the 2024 school year:

175,261 students took the AP CSP Exam—almost four times the number of exam takers in the course’s first year.

60,259 female students took the AP CSP Exam, approximately 4 1/2 times the number who tested in 2017.

Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161 percent since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students, the district said.

“Computer science is the source code of our economy and much of the career landscape,” Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program said. “In the seven years since we began the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, it’s been heartening to see schools like Lawrence High School welcome so many more young women into this vital field.”

Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.

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