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Number of advanced exam test-takers doubles Wednesday, Aug 3, 2005 By Aaron Sadler Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The number of Arkansas students taking Advanced Placement exams skyrocketed in 2005, thanks to legislation requiring all schools to offer AP courses. The state Department of Education announced Tuesday that more than 13,000 high schoolers took AP exams this year, compared to 6,674 a year ago. That represents a 108 percent increase in student participation. It is the largest one-year increase in Advanced Placement offerings in any state in the history of the program, said the College Board's AP Executive Director Trevor Packer. The College Board oversees the advanced placement program. It, too, administers the SAT to college-bound students. "No states were ever even close to achieving this sort of overnight expansion to access that Arkansas really has so admirably achieved this year," Packer said. The spike in test takers is tied to a state statute enacted last year during a special legislative session on education reform. The legislation requires AP courses in English, math, science and social studies be offered in all public schools. Also contributing to the increase: more teachers are attending AP summer training, and the state began in May paying fees for students taking the tests. "This is such good news for Arkansas students because simply having participated in an AP course is a predictor of later success," said Ken James, the state's education commissioner. According to the Department of Education, 13,883 students took 23,014 exams this year. Last year, 6,674 students took 11,112 exams. While the quantity of test takers was higher, quality dipped over the year. This year, 28.3 percent of exams were graded as "qualified," "well qualified" or "extremely well qualified." In 2004, 43.9 percent of students scored at the same levels. Packer said the dip is to be expected when initial participation in the program increases. Still, he said the important statistic is the access to the AP program and the fact that 34 percent more students than a year ago were identified as qualified or better. Schools must comply with the new state law by 2008, but the Department of Education said many schools began adding AP classes to their curriculum last year. Rep. Jodie Mahony, D-El Dorado, who authored the legislation, did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday. Last year, 23 schools added at least one AP course for the first time, making 235 schools with AP courses. According to the College Board, the AP program offers college-level courses to high school students, giving the students a chance to earn college credit. About 60 percent of U.S. high schools participate in the program. In 2004, more than 1.8 million AP exams were administered. James said research indicates students in AP courses in high school are more likely than others to earn a bachelor's degree in four years or less. Gov. Mike Huckabee said the higher number of test takers proves the state's education reform efforts are working. "It's great to have Arkansas as a national leader in education rather than being a state that trails in the field," he said. Department of Education officials were pleased, too, that the number of minority students enrolled in AP classes is higher. In the past five years, the number of exams taken by blacks is up 2,678, 580 higher for Hispanic students; and 2,573 higher for those in low-income households. |
