Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama is the #1 state in Advanced Placement (AP) gains, according to today’s national report from The College Board. Alabama’s public school AP students continue to excel in participation and performance, showing more growth than anywhere in the nation. The College Board also reports, for the 18th consecutive year, Alabama’s public school students outperformed the nation’s public school students on the SAT.
Compared to all other states, Alabama had the greatest one-year percentage increase in the number of AP exam-takers – 24.5 percent increase in Alabama compared to 7.5 percent nationwide – and the number of exams given – 29.6 percent in Alabama compared to 7.4 percent nationwide. Alabama had the greatest one-year percentage increase in the number of 3-5 scores (5 is highest possible AP exam score) – 21.1 percent compared to 9.4 percent nationwide – except for the District of Columbia.
“AP classes are the biggest indicator of college success – even more so than dual enrollment. Other states are trying to duplicate what Alabama is doing. The College Board is trying to backtrack Alabama’s progress so other states can follow your lead,” said Jenny Krugman, vice president, College Board Southern Regional Office. “Alabama’s AP growth percentages are amazing. Alabama public school students are outperforming their peers nationwide. Alabama continues to be a leader and model for other states in AP participation and performance. We are watching your work to replicate Alabama’s success in other states.”
Since 2005 in Alabama public schools:
• Number of AP exam-takers has increased 108.6 percent.
• Number of 3-5 scores has increased 71. 1 percent.
• AP participation among Hispanic students has increased 200 percent.
• African-American AP participation has increased nearly 300 percent (299.8).
From 2008 to 2009, among Alabama’s African-American public school students:
• Number of AP exam-takers grew 47.4 percent compared to 13.2 percent increase nationwide.
• Number of AP exams increased 66.8 percent compared to 13.9 nationwide.
• Number of 3-5 exam scores increased 36.3 percent, compared to 19.4 nationwide.
From 2008 to 2009, among Alabama’s Hispanic public school students:
• AP exam-takers increased 18.1 percent compared to 13.6 nationwide.
• Number of AP exams increased 21.3 percent compared to 13.7 nationwide.
“ACCESS [Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide] and A+ College Ready are contributing factors to Alabama’s phenomenal AP growth,” said Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent of Education. “AP offers our students the opportunity to take college-level courses, and perhaps earn college credit. Scores of 3-5 are indicators of future success in college, and AP students traditionally perform better on college-entrance tests. We knew our students would rise to the challenge, and my oh my, did they!”
A+ College Ready is expanding to three more school systems: Huntsville City, Madison County and Birmingham City. Jefferson County and Montgomery County currently participate in A+ College Ready AP program. For AP credit policy information for colleges and universities, visit http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp.
More Good News from The College Board
For the 18th consecutive year, Alabama’s public school students outperformed the nation’s public school students on the 2009 SAT Reasoning Test.
SAT SCORES
READING MATH WRITING
ALABAMA 553 551 546
U.S. 496 510 487
Alabama’s African-American SAT-takers increased 7.1 percent compared to only 0.5 percent increase in the United States. African-American and Hispanic students outscored their counterparts nationwide on all three SAT subsections.
POPULATION GROUP ALABAMA U.S.
READING MATH WRITING READING MATH WRITING
African-American 465 443 462 425 423 416
Hispanic 571 540 543 447 455 440
For more information, visit www.collegeboard.com. For press inquiries, contact communications@collegeboard.org or 212-713-8052. For all other inquiries, call 212-713-8000.