The state of Alabama has seen record breakthroughs with success for Advance Placement (AP) with more students taking the highest number of AP exams in the state’s history and earning a record number of qualifying scores. Additionally, students of color and economically disadvantaged students participating and succeeding in Advanced Placement (AP) is at an all-time high.
AP allows students to experience college-level courses while still in high school, and receive college credit. At the end of every AP course, students sit for an international exam and/or submit a portfolio to demonstrate their proficiency in the course. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with scores 3, 4, and 5 being eligible for college credit in the comparable college courses. A+ College Ready has worked with Alabama schools for seventeen years to increase participation and success in advanced placement.
The statistics from the spring 2024 AP test administration demonstrate the impact of the A+ College Ready program. In 2024, 27,996 Alabama students sat for one or more AP exams, an increase of 2,443 students from 2023. Those students took 52,361 AP exams, an increase of 5,997 exams in a single year. These students earned 28,813 qualifying scores, a single year increase of 6,482 scores. This represents the single-year highest increase in qualifying scores in Alabama history. Finally, even though more students participated and more exams were taken, the percentage of students who made a qualifying score increased almost five percentage points. The 28,813 qualifying scores earned by Alabama students potentially could save Alabama families over $43,000,000 in college tuition savings and contribute to students finishing college on time or even early, saving families even more money.
The diverse group of students participating and succeeding in Advanced Placement is another cause for celebration. From 2023 to 2024, the number of black students sitting for one or more AP exams increased by 19% and the number earning a qualifying score increased by 50%. The number of Hispanic or Latino students sitting for one or more AP exams increased by 21% and the number earning a qualifying score increased by 47%. The number of economically disadvantaged students sitting for an AP exam doubled while these low socioeconomic students earned 43% more qualifying scores than in the previous year.
School or teacher participation in the A+ College Ready program allows students in the state of Alabama to have the opportunity to participate in AP classrooms with well-trained teachers and the resources needed for success. AP exam fee subsidies remove financial barriers for taking the AP exam…
No matter the goal of the student and parent, Advance Placement helps prepare all students to reach their goals–no matter if the goal is college, career or military service. AP classes support students as they develop key life skills– a strong work ethic, critical thinking, and opportunity for a better outcome. A+ College Ready highly anticipates the 2025 AP results and believes Alabama students will excel once again.
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