Delaware public schools show significant improvement in AP courses
Three school districts in Delaware receive national honor for succeeding in college level Advanced Placement courses.
According to the College Board, a non profit organization that administers exams, more students in Delaware are not only participating in AP classes but succeeding in them as well. This is all based on the 9th Annual AP Report recently released which highlights steady AP success in Delaware over a 10 year period.
Caesar Rodney, Sussex Technical and Woodbridge school districts were in that report and also a part of the AP’s 3rd Annual Honor Roll. In fact, they’re also among 539 districts that have increased access to AP courses for a larger number of students in the U.S and Canada.
“AP courses help students develop critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills. The AP experiences in their Delaware high schools are setting these students up for greater success in college and for a greater likelihood that they’ll complete their degrees,” said Secretary of Education Mark Murphy.
Delaware districts were also commended for their role in maintaining and improving the rate at which AP students succeed on exams.
“Congratulations to the educators and students at these districts who are working hard to make sure every student has the opportunity to take these college-level courses and succeed in them,” added Murphy.
Officials from the College Board say research shows that students who tend to succeed on an AP Exam are more likely to experience academic success in college. Success is measured and based on a five-point AP scale in which students must score at least 3 or higher.
Delaware graduates from the class of 2012 scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam. That’s actually great improvement when compared to those who were tested in 2002. In the last decade, there has even been more students taking the AP Exam. A 138 percent increase to be exact.
However, there is still work to be done when it comes to increasing AP success among the state’s minority and low-income students since research indicates that such students are under-represented in AP courses.
“We must ensure all students, particularly those under-represented at this time, are prepared for these rigorous courses, have access to take them and then are given the supports they need to succeed in them,” said Murphy.
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