AP Exams Ranked Fifth in Nation
Delaware’s Five-Year Improvement in Passing Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Ranked Fifth in Nation
Number of Students Taking AP Exams Doubles
Dover, Del.–February 7, 2006Earlier today, the College Board released its annual “Report to the Nation”on Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance data in our nation’s public high schools.This year’s report focuses on three themes: Excellence and Equity in College-Level Achievement;Maintaining Quality in the AP Classroom and; Closing Equity Gaps.
Excellence and Equity in College-Level Achievement:Today’s report states that Delaware is fifth in the nation of statesthat have seen the greatest positive change in the proportion of studentswho score at least 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Exams.In 2000, 7.6 percent of Delaware high school students scored 3 or higher;in 2005, that percentage increased to 12.9—a 5.3 percent increaseand well above the overall U.S. rate of 3.9 percent.
The number of high school students who took AP exams in 2005 more than doubled to 1,660compared to 824 in 2000. The number of students who scored at least a 3on an AP exam nearly doubled as well, from 467 in 2000 to 866 in 2005.
“I am very proud of our students’ improvement on their AP exams,” said Governor Ruth Ann Minner.“Over the past five years, our high school population has increased by nearly six percent,which makes our students’ performance even more impressive.Again, our students are ranking among the top in the nation,which is a testament to their hard work and the dedication of their teachers.”
The College Board partners with colleges and universities to create AP examsof college-level learning—the AP exams—in 35 subject areas.Most colleges in the U.S. recognize AP exams in the admissions process as a signof a student’s ability to succeed in rigorous higher education curricula.They also award college credit or placement into a higher level college courseso that college entrants can move directly into the courses that match their levelof academic preparation for college.
Closing Equity Gaps:In Delaware, the Latino high school population Equity Gap has been nearly eliminated.In 2000, the percentage of Latino students in Delaware’s high schools was 2.9 percentwhile the number of examinees was at 1.0 percent.The Equity Gap, or the difference between the student population and the numberof AP examinees was 1.9 percentage points. However, in 2005,the Latino student population grew to 4.4 percent and the number of Latino examineesrose to 3.6 percent for a decrease in the equity gap to less than one percent.
In 2000, the percentage of African-American students in Delaware was 24.9 percent,compared to a national percentage rate of 13.2 percent.The percentage of African-American AP examinees was 8.9 percent,nearly three percentage points higher than the national average of 6.0 percent.The Equity Gap was 16.0 percentage points. In 2005,the percentage of African-Americans high school students in Delaware was 27.5 percentcompared to a national average of 13.2 percent.The percentage of African-American examinees in Delaware was 11.0 percentwhich is 5.4 percentage points higher than the national average of 6.4 percent.
“Access to quality curriculum and instruction is critical for student success,”said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.“The gateway to AP courses for more students has been opened in Delaware schools.We must ensure that students have good chances of success which includespre-preparation and support while taking these high level courses.”
Today’s report also noted that AP students who score 1 and 2 on an AP examare completing bachelor’s degrees in much greater rates than studentswho did not taken an AP exam. Caucasian students who scored 1 or 2 on an AP examare completing college at nearly double the rate of students who did not participate in AP,while among Latino and African-American students, the rate of college graduation for studentswho score 1 or 2 on AP exams is triple that of students who did not take AP.
For further information on the College Board report and programs,
go to www.collegeboard.com.
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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