From Classroom to Campus

AI hasn't just changed how students complete homework — it's changing whether they ever have to think to complete it. In this episode, Dr. Marla James, award-winning educator and author of Documented Learning: Process Over Product in the Age of AI, joins us to unpack what's really at stake when generative AI enters the classroom. We dig into how teachers can design AI-resistant tasks a...

Some districts are limiting or eliminating homework. Some parents are pushing back hard. Teachers are caught in the middle, knowing that independent practice outside class isn’t optional when you’re preparing students for exams and other college-level work. This episode of “From Classroom to Campus” takes on the homework question honestly: what the research actually says, where rigorous coursework...

Too many APⓇ instructional planning meetings end with teachers more frustrated than when they walked in. Advanced Academic Specialist Shontel Newsome joins us to share a practical framework for running AP Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and planning meetings that respect everyone’s time, build real collaboration, and produce strategies teachers can use the very next day. Learn more about...

What if a student could tell you exactly what worked, and what didn't, in their own education? In this episode, we sit down with recent high school graduate Andres Lopez, who took on a full load of rigorous AP coursework, balanced it with competitive soccer, and is now headed to UT Austin this fall. From instructional strategies to classroom culture to how parents can actually help without hoverin...

Technology can elevate instruction, or quietly undermine it. Host Philip Bates breaks down the most powerful ways tech supports learning at every level, the situations where putting the laptop away is the better move, and what parents and educators should know about whether that screen time after school is actually helping homework or hurting it. Megan Blessing joins to play devil’s advocate, chal...

Every high school teacher has seen it: a student who clearly understands the material but falls apart when it's time to write. So what's going wrong? Natalie Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap and co-author of The Writing Revolution 2.0, makes the case that writing instruction has been systematically squeezed out of classrooms in favor of content delivery, and students are paying the pric...

In this season finale of From Classroom to Campus, we're hitting rewind on Season 2 — bringing together the most practical strategies and honest insights shared by AP® educators, researchers, and experts throughout the season. From how AP readers actually score FRQs to why your "lazy" students might be struggling with executive function, to what high-achieving students really need beyond the class...

What should AP® teachers actually do over the summer to feel ready and not overwhelmed when school starts back up? In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” we’re talking smart summer prep: AP Summer Institutes, professional learning, College Board® updates, books to read by the pool, AP Reader insights, and simple ways new and veteran AP teachers can head into fall more confident and energiz...

High-stakes exams have a funny way of humbling everyone. Students are confused, teachers are rethinking everything, and the AP® exam is quietly exposing gaps no one saw coming. In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” AP expert Haylee Woodcock joins Philip Bates to share what the best AP teachers know, but rarely say out loud, from common instructional missteps to simple shifts that help stu...

High school students have more pathways than ever to prepare for college—AP®, IB®, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment—but which ones actually make a difference once they get there? Each option promises college readiness and potential cost savings, but the real impact isn’t always clear. In this episode of From Classroom to Campus, we take a closer look at AP, IB, and Dual Credit, breaking down what they...

What if better APⓇ scores didn’t require more homework, faster pacing, or constant pressure? In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” veteran educator Suzanne Dilday challenges 1 of the biggest misconceptions in AP teaching: that rigor means doing more, faster. Instead, she makes the case for a mindset shift, focusing on depth over coverage, skill-building over content delivery, and coaching...

Why do “almost perfect” APⓇ free-response answers often fall short? In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” veteran educator and AP reader Greg Hill joins us to pull back the curtain on the scoring room. We discuss how readers are actually trained, the reality of rubric application, and the common misconceptions that cost students points. Learn how to align your classroom grading with offic...

Do you ever check 1 notification and suddenly lose 15 minutes to a video you never meant to watch, or send an email in frustration and wish you’d waited? When adults slip in executive function, it’s inconvenient. When AP® students slip, it shows up as missing work, procrastination, emotional shutdowns, and unfinished projects. In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” Philip Bates unpacks wha...

In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” host Philip Bates sits down with Dr. Jonathan Plucker, a nationally recognized researcher on talent development and the excellence gap, to examine why traditional definitions of college success fall short for many students. The conversation explores how schools identify high-potential learners, why excellence gaps persist across socioeconomic lines, a...

“Why ‘College-Ready’ Students Aren’t Actually Ready” features Stacey Havlik, PhD, and Krista M. Mallott, PhD, authors, counselor educators, and professors at Villanova University. Drs. Havlik and Mallot offer a fresh, practical perspective on what students truly need to succeed in college. Moving beyond grades and test scores, the 1st episode of season 2 of the “From Classroom to Campus” podcast s...

In this season-finale episode of From Classroom to Campus, we’ve curated the best college readiness advice shared by educators, school leaders, admissions professionals, and AP® experts throughout our first season. This episode features actionable insights on: How educators can better prepare students for college success- College and career readiness strategies that actually work What colleges val...

Carl Brown has taught it all — AP® Psychology, AP U.S. Government, and the groundbreaking AP African American Studies course, which he helped create. A veteran AP teacher, College BoardⓇ consultant, and nationally recognized presenter, Carl brings a wealth of wisdom to students, educators, and school leaders alike.  In this episode of “From Classroom to Campus,” we explore how AP courses contribut...

With over 1 million students, the New York City Department of Education is the nation’s largest school system and a proving ground for innovations that ripple across the country.  Join Ainsley Rudolfo, executive director for programs and partnerships, as we explore how NYC is expanding access to college and career pathways, and how these equity-driven strategies can inspire educators everywhere. H...

Whether your students are eyeing Southern Methodist University or any other top university, this episode of “From Classroom to Campus” offers educators and counselors an insider’s look at what really happens in college admissions.  Host Philip Bates sits down with Dante Branch from SMU Admissions to uncover what makes applicants stand out, the common pitfalls students should avoid, and how teacher...

In this episode, Philip Bates dives into the growing wave of cell phone bans in schools, exploring why over half of U.S. states are implementing bans and what this means for student attention, academic performance, and mental health. Drawing on recent statistics, studies, and educator perspectives, we unpack how restricting phones isn’t just about reducing distractions; it’s about creating environ...

What do educators really need to know about dyslexia and literacy? Dr. Anna Middleton from Scottish Rite for Children joins host Philip Bates to bust the biggest myths, share what effective support looks like in high school and college, and explain how the science of reading can transform student success. Help increase student college readiness with ⁠ UWorld’s Courses for AP® and Online Preparatio...

AI is here—and it’s not going away. In this solo episode of From Classroom to Campus , host Philip Bates explores how Artificial Intelligence can shift from a source of fear to a tool for college readiness, equity, and student success. From cheating concerns to classroom innovation, Philip shares practical tips, real talk, and bold ideas for using AI responsibly in education. Whether you're a teac...

Corporate marketer-turned-educator Saki Milton shows how GEMS Camp (Girls interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science) crushes the middle-school cliff with hands-on projects, powerful role models, first-gen-friendly supports, and industry panels (Microsoft, Cummins) — plus fresh AI/prompt-engineering lessons educators can use right away. Help increase student college readiness with ⁠ UWorl...

In this episode, host Philip Bates is joined by Stacy Carroll, executive director of advanced academics and world languages, to talk about how school districts can identify hidden potential and build systems that propel students into rigorous, college-ready pathways.   From supporting Advanced Placement® (AP®) teachers to nurturing gifted and talented learners, Stacy shares the behind-the-scenes s...

In this episode, we share practical advice for educators and parents supporting students through college admissions. We explore the role of AP® classes, the risks of overloading, and why focused engagement often matters more than simply stacking credentials. You'll also hear strategies for helping students balance academics, extracurriculars, and well-being as they prepare for college and beyond....