La. high school students earning AP college credits increases

As the Louisiana Department of Education announced that the state’s high school students eanred a record number of college credits through Advanced Placement exams, St. Landry Parish fell behind their state counterparts.
Louisiana 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.
AP exam scores range from 1 to 5. Students must have at least a 3 to earn college credit at most colleges.
In St. Landry Parish there were about 319 students taking AP exams with less than 8.2 percent scoring 3 or more points in the 2015-16 school year.
At Eunice High School there were about 80 students taking AP exams and less than 5 percent scored 3 or greater.
The number of test-takers in St. Landry Parish has risen from less than 10 in 2012-13.
At Eunice High, there were about 30 test-takers in 2014-15 when 10.8 percent scored 3 or better.
The one-year state increase is due to both 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.
Louisiana students are also earning record numbers of college credit by successfully taking College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. During the 2015-2016 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.
“These results are further proof that when students have access to more challenging coursework, they rise to the challenge,” said State Superintendent John White. “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 (BESE) 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.
In the spring of 2017, 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.