BATON ROUGE, La.- More than 6,500 Louisiana high school students earned college-credit qualifying scores on Advanced Placement® (AP®) exams in 2017, an increase of 10 percent since 2016 and of 137 percent since 2012, according to data released today by the Louisiana Department of Education. The number of African-American students achieving AP® credit, in particular, climbed significantly, increasing by nearly 17 percent since last year and by 190 percent since 2012.
AP® offers college-level curricula in 38 subject areas to high school students that culminate in a college-level AP Exam recognized by colleges and universities across the United States. Students who earn a score of 3, 4, or 5 are eligible for college credit at all Louisiana higher education institutions.
The results announced today come on the heels of a five-year statewide push by high schools to expand access to early college courses. All Louisiana colleges now grant credit for AP® test credits; students passing AP® courses receive additional weight in the calculation of the TOPS GPA; the state's rating system for high schools rewards schools achieving at high levels in AP® courses and tests; and the state secured federal grant funding to pay testing fees for low-income students.
"Louisiana students have increased AP® participation and performance for five consecutive years. These students have earned college credit at virtually any institution in the nation," said State Superintendent John White. "We must maintain this momentum. Our students are as smart and capable as any in America. They deserve these opportunities."
2017 AP® Results
Among the highlights, the 2017 AP® data show:
More than 6,500 students earned a qualifying score of 3, 4, or 5--a 137 percent increase over time and a nearly 10 percent increase since last year. In 2017, 6,519 earned scores high enough to obtain college course credit. In 2016, 5,931 earned those marks. In 2012, just 2,747 made the cut.
Students Taking an AP® Test
|
6,639
|
18,267
|
19,193
|
5.1%
|
189%
|
Number of Students Earning Qualifying Score of 3, 4, or 5
|
2,747
|
5,931
|
6,519
|
9.9%
|
137.3%
|
Number of Tests Earning Qualifying Scores of 3, 4, or 5
|
4,112
|
8,548
|
9,492
|
11.0%
|
130.8%
|
African-American students saw dramatic increases. Of all test-takers, 781 students earned qualifying scores of 3, 4, or 5, a jump of nearly 17 percent since 2016 and of 197 percent since 2012. East Baton Rouge Parish made especially outstanding gains, with a staggering 662 percent increase in the number of African-American students earning college credits over time.
Students Taking an AP® Test
|
1,516
|
4,709
|
5,143
|
9.2%
|
239.2%
|
Number of Students Earning Qualifying Scores of 3, 4, or 5
|
263
|
670
|
781
|
16.6%
|
197.0%
|
Number of Tests Earning Qualifying Scores of 3, 4, or 5
|
374
|
926
|
1,019
|
10.0%
|
172.5%
|
The total potential cost savings for the state's students and families tops nearly $7 million this year alone. In 2017, Louisiana public high school students took a total of 9,492 exams resulting in scores of 3, 4, or 5. Based on students' opportunity to earn at least 3 college credits for each AP® Exam score of 3 or higher, this represents an estimated 28,476 college credits. Based on the 2016 College Board report, Trends in College Pricing, at an average rate of $243.80 per credit hour, the total potential cost savings for the state's students and families was $6,942,449.
AP® in the Era of ESSA
Although gains by African-American students have significantly increased over time, students of color still lack full and equal access to advanced coursework. In 2016-2017, 23 Louisiana school systems, for example, did not have any African-American students take an AP® exam.
As Louisiana enters the era of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), AP® access remains a priority. In its plan to comply with the federal law, the state outlines how it will target newly authorized Direct Student Service (DSS) statewide Title I funds so that schools can provide their students with equitable access to high-value academic course offerings and reimbursement options for exam fees. DSS-funded Interest and Opportunity Academies will assure families their children have access to quality instruction in core academic areas, and will challenge the state and local school systems to expand access to AP® coursework and experiences that will support and enrich students' educational journey.
The state's plan, which has garnered praise from several national peer reviews, is now under review by the U.S. Department of Education and will receive a final determination in coming weeks.
To view the 2017 AP® results, click here.
For more information on AP®, click here.