Strive for 5: Preparing for the AP Biology Examination

Franklin Bell is a consultant for the College Board, presenting at two-day and week-long conferences throughout the Southwest and Mid-Atlantic Regions. He has been a reader and a table leader for the AP Biology exam, and is a past member of the AP Biology Test Development Committee. Formerly, Franklin was the Science Department co-chair at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, Texas. In 2003, the College Board presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Award for his contributions to the Advanced Placement Program, and in 2006, the National Association of Biology Teachers distinguished Franklin as the Texas Outstanding Biology Teacher. During his 25 years as a high school science teacher, Franklin has spent 18 years teaching AP Biology. Along with AP Biology, he also currently teaches AP Environmental Science at Mercersburg Academy.

In John Lepri’s 23 years of teaching, he has also served 21 of those years with the College Board. John is the most recent Chief Reader, a position held for 5 years. In former years, he has conducted research at Monell Chemical Senses Center, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Additionally, John served as a judge for the Siemens Competition in Science, Math, and Technology, as well as the Siemens "We Can Change the World" Competition. You can see a video of John explaining what happens at the readings and what makes it so special on the College Board’s AP Central website under "Become an AP Reader."