AP Participation and Results on the Rise
JACKSONVILLE - Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) saw a rise of 34.2% from 2007 to 2008 in the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams. In addition, the number of students receiving a grade of three or higher rose by nearly 5% last year, and more than 40% since 2005.
Number of Students taking AP Tests
| |
Duval County |
State |
Nation |
| 2007 |
9,106 |
|
103,547 |
|
1,239,336 |
|
| 2008 |
12,217 |
34.2% |
117,698 |
13.7% |
1,346,925 |
8.7% |
"These scores continue to show an increase in academic achievement for our students," said Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, Ed Pratt-Dannals. "I am proud that so many of our students are stepping up to the challenge and taking AP courses to better prepare themselves for post-secondary education or the world of work."
Minority participation and performance has also improved in Duval County from 2007 to 2008. The number of African American students taking the AP exam increased 30.2%, while Hispanic participation rose 38.7%. African American and Hispanic students who received a grade of three or higher increased 9.4% and 8.8% respectively, from 2007 to 2008.
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is sponsored and monitored by the College Board. This program allows high school students to take and receive college credit for college-level course work. After completing course work, students may take the AP examination. If a student receives a grade of three, four, or five on the examination, he or she can receive credit from those colleges and universities that participate in the program.
With a three or higher grade on the AP, students save money on tuition for post-secondary school. Tuition at University of North Florida is $125.83 per credit hour. Each of the courses for which DCPS students earned a 3, 4 or 5 on the A.P. exams is a 3-credit course (some are 4-credit courses). In this example, this amounts to a savings in tuition of $377.49 per course and has a direct impact on parents’ pocketbooks. In fact, with 4,892 scores of 3 or higher in 2007, Jacksonville parents realized $1,846,681 in savings of in-state tuition that they will not have to pay. Higher out-of-state study would realize even further savings to Duval parents.
Duval County Public Schools operates more than 160 schools and serves approximately 125,000 students. The school district is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy, and culturally diverse world.
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