La. students earn record number of AP credits

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Education announced Monday that Louisiana high school students earned 845 more qualifying scores of 3, 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement exams in 2016 than in 2015, increasing the total from 7,703 to 8,548, an 11 percent increase. Since 2012, the number of qualifying scores earned annually has increased 108 percent, from 4,112 in 2012. Credits earned by students who score a qualifying score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exams are transferable to nearly any college in the nation and all colleges in Louisiana.

The one-year increase is because of growth in overall participation in challenging AP courses and an increase in the percentage of participating students achieving qualifying scores. The percentage of test takers earning a 3 or higher increased, from 31.9 percent in 2015 to 33.5 percent in 2016.

In northeastern Louisiana, six school districts participate in AP.

In 2015-16, Ouachita Parish students took 385 exams; 109, or 28.3 percent, of those tests received a score of 3 or better. In 2014-15, students took 122 tests, and of those 68.9 percent of exams received a 3, 4 or 5.

Ouachita Parish high School showed the most grown in exam access when compared to other economically disadvantages schools in the state. The school increased testing by 1,2225 percent.

Among economically disadvantages schools, West Ouachita High School increased the percent of 3, 4 and 5 scores by 433.3 percent; OPHS increased by 366.7 percent and Wossman High School increased by 200 percent.

Monroe City Schools students took 226 exams; 55, or 20.7 percent, of those exams scored a 3, 4 or 5. In 2014-15, Monroe students took 363 exams and 22.6 percent scored a 3 or better.

Lincoln Parish students took 221 exams, and 105, or 47.5 percent, scored a 3 or better. The parish is the fourth-highest ranking in the state in number of tests with a 3, 4 or 5.

The DOE listed Lincoln Parish among the top 10 districts in the state to boost district level performance over time. Since 2012-13, the district has increased the number of tests taken by 64 percent.

Students in East Carroll Parish took approximately 20 exams, and more than 5 percent of those exams received a score of 3, 4 or 5. The district has maintained approximately the same testing numbers since 2012-13.

Fewer than 10 exams were taken in Caldwell and Union parishes; additional data is not available for those districts.

Statewide, students also are earning record numbers of college credit by successfully taking College-Level Examination Program exams. During the 2015-16 school year total number of CLEP exams taken increased from 41 in 2013-2014 to 6,053. The total number of college-accepted CLEP scores increased from 25 in 2013-2014 to 2,630. The College Board's CLEP program is a nationally recognized credit-by-examination program that provides high school students an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of college-level materials in introductory subjects and earn college credit.

Students show improvement on LEAP test

"These results are further proof that when students have access to more challenging coursework, they rise to the challenge," State Superintendent John White said. "However, too few students today arrive on college campuses fully prepared for the challenges of college curricula. This issue is even more pronounced among graduates from low-income backgrounds. As we continue listening to educators, parents, and communities to develop Louisiana's Every Student Succeeds Act plan, we need to be cognizant of any opportunity to increase access and skills for all students."

Louisiana has historically ranked lowest in the nation in the number of students taking AP® courses and passing tests. Recognizing this, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school systems began implementing changes to high school policies in 2012 that have resulted in significant increases in AP credits, CLEP scores, college-going scores on the ACT, and the number of freshmen entering college.

Monroe, Ouachita students proficient on LEAP

AP

In the spring, the College Board will release its Advanced Placement Cohort Results Report for 2016, indicating the percentage of graduates earning AP credit. The 2015 report showed Louisiana's rate of improvement was second in the nation behind Massachusetts.

Studies have shown expanding access to AP courses increases the likelihood of college completion, even for students not achieving a 3 or higher on tests. The research reveals students who complete AP coursework are:

• better prepared for college-level work;
• more likely to continue their education beyond their freshman year in college;
• more likely to graduate within four to five years;
• stand-outs in the college admissions process; and,
• more competitive in qualifying for scholarships.

In 2016, Louisiana public high school students took a total of 8,548 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 25,644 college credits. Based on the 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 $6,252,007.

CLEP
The CLEP is scored on a scale of 20 to 80, with a 50 being the lowest score for which course credit is granted. With a passing score of 50 or higher, students earn between 3 and 12 credits of college-level coursework before leaving high school, depending on the guidelines of the specific postsecondary institutions. 

"The College Board strongly believes in helping students to pursue a wide range of college and career opportunities," Emily Paulsen of the College Board said. "When state partners share the dedication to encourage all types of learning and early college opportunities, students win. Through its rapid statewide expansion of the CLEP® program — which enables students of all backgrounds to earn college credit by demonstrating their mastery of introductory college-level material — the Louisiana Department of Education has become a national leader in supporting student achievement and degree acceleration." 

Online

• 2015-2016 Advanced Placement® Results (by district and school)
• College Level Examination Program® information