Report: Ala. students make gains over a decade of Advanced Place - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Report: Ala. students make gains over a decade of Advanced Placement

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MONTGOMERY, AL -

Alabama public schools show large gains from 2002-2012 in Advanced Placement® (AP), according to the 9th Annual AP Report to the Nation, released by the College Board.

AP is a rigorous academic program that offers high school students the chance for college-level study in 34 courses with a wide variety of subject areas. AP supports Alabama's goals of improving postsecondary access and increasing college persistence and completion rates.  

Over the last ten years, the number of graduates who took an AP course in high school has risen by over 218 percent in Alabama, from 3,103 to 9,852. There are more students scoring a grade of 3 or higher in 2012 than the number of students who took the exam in 2002.

Success on an AP exam is defined as a grade of 3 or higher – a score research shows is indicative of college success and graduation. In 2012, 4,258 students scored a grade of 3 or more, up from 1,710 in 2002. Scoring a grade of 3 or higher allowed students in 2012 to earn credit for college courses, saving $12,911,208 yearly in tuition expenses at average rate of $284 per credit hour.

Dr. Tommy Bice, State Superintendent of Education said, "Through the collaborative work of our local school systems, the A+ College Ready Program and the Alabama State Department of Education, we are providing students with opportunities and support to receive college level instruction and college credit as part of their high school program. We are seeing not only increased numbers of students enrolling but also under-represented groups of students not only enroll, but also receive qualifying scores, which gives us reason for great celebration today."

 

PARTICIPATION & SCORES - %

 

2012

2007

2002

Test-Takers

25.7%

11.0%

8.6%

3-5 Exam Scores

11.1%

6.3%

4.8%

 

PARTICIPATION & SCORES - NUMBERS

 

2012

2007

2002

Test-Takers

9,852

4,181

3,103

3-5 Exam Scores

4,258

2,398

1,710

 

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS' PROGRESS

 

2012

2007

2002

Test-Takers

2,300

513

453

3-5 Exam Scores

401

142

97

 

Alabama will present at the College Board Collaborate Southern Regional Forum, March 7-8, in Atlanta, GA. On June 19-21, The Advanced Placement Summer Institute for Administrators will be held in Jacksonville, FL.

INFORMATION SOURCE: Alabama Department of Education