SBE President Statement to Advance Placement

Contact:
Regina Wilson
916-319-0693

State Board of Education President Issues Statement Relating to
Advance Placement Results

Sacramento - The College Board, which administers the Advanced Placement (AP) program, released the AP exam results last Wednesday. The results show that 22.3 percent of California’s graduating class of 2010 took and passed an AP exam. This is significantly higher than the national average of 16.9 percent, and reflects 3.1 percentage point gain from five years ago. Research has demonstrated that students who take AP courses and pass AP exams are more successful in college.

State Board of Education President Michael Kirst issued the following statement in reaction to these positive results: "I am impressed that a growing number of California’s students are not only taking AP courses, but also passing the rigorous end-of-course exams. This is a testament to the hard work of California’s educators and their success in preparing students to be college and career ready."

The AP program enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through more than 30 college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, the AP program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both.

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