Arkansas students score better on AP exams

Arkansas students performed better overall on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, according to a statement from the Arkansas Department of Education.

The report was generated by the College Board, which provides advanced placement testing for more than 7 million students attending 23,000 high schools and 3,800 colleges.

They also reported an increase in the number of the state’s public school students taking the AP test in school year 2009-2010.

“This news reaffirms what we have known about the strength of AP policies and programs in place in our state,” Education Commissioner Tom W. Kimbrell said in a statement. “Arkansas is often cited as a national model for providing public school students access to AP courses. We know that students who take these rigorous courses have an easier time succeeding in college.”

Specifics regarding Advanced Placement in Arkansas’ public schools include:
• The number of test takers increased by 8.6% to 19,972 in 2009.
• The number of tests administered increased by 11.5% to 33,504.
• The number of tests with scores of 3, 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5) increased by 13.1% to 9,750.
• 2,852 African-American students (14.3% of test takers) took one or more AP exams, for a 12.6% increase in participation from 2009. These students took 4,537 AP exams, with 389 of the exams being scored a 3, 4 or 5 for a 27.5% increase over last year.
• 1,209 Hispanic students (6.1% of test takers) took one or more AP exams, for a 30.1% increase in participation over last year. These students took 1,958 exams, with 558 being scored a 3, 4 or 5 for a 30.7% increase since 2009.

Regarding the 2009 SAT, the College Board reported that 939 Arkansas public school students took the test, representing a 4.3% drop from 2009. Participation by black students, however, increased by 32.3% from last year. Score details include:
• The state’s public school students’ mean score in Critical Reading remained the same at 569, as compared with a one-point increase in scores nationally to 498.
• The state’s public school students’ mean score in Math remained the same at 568 as compared with a one point increase nationally to 511.
• The state’s public school students’ mean score in Writing increased by one point to 553. Scores nationally also increased by one point to 488.

“We’re pleased to see increased and more diversified participation in AP programs and SAT testing,” Dr. Jim Purcell, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, said in a statement. “Those learning experiences help to better prepare students for higher education at Arkansas colleges and universities.”

In 2007, the state was awarded a $13.2 million grant from the National Math and Science Initiative to pilot an effort to increase both access and scores in Advanced Placement.

Students at Fort Smith Northside High School posted the largest increases among select students in six states who are participating in a National Math and Science Initiative designed to increase proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses.