Advanced Placement Tests

Recently, WJC Schools had been criticized because of the claim that few high school students take Advanced Placement (AP) tests and students who take them perform poorly.

Superintendent Mathews provided this data to provide context to WJC's exam participation rates and student success rate for those who took the exams. (See the attached chart.)

The first column is the number of WJC students per AP course. The circled number is the number of York County students per AP course.

The second column is # of WJC AP tests taken by course.

The third column shows the % of students in WJC (and York, figures circled) who passed earned a 3 or above.

Note especially that WJC had students taking 23 AP courses last year. According to a correction in the Virginia Gazette, York offers 13 AP courses, but only 7 appear to have been taken by students in York last year.

While the percentage of those taking AP tests in WJC could certainly be improved, especially in particular courses, overall participation is much better than was initially reported, as were the impressive percentages of students who scored 3 or higher on the exams.

To increase the number of students taking the AP tests the School Board will be considering requiring the AP tests which may require additional funds to pay for test fees. There are pros and cons to requiring the exams. Please make your opinions known about this issue to Dr. Mathews and the School Board.

Also, keep in mind that on the Newsweek 2004 Challenge Index, Jamestown High School is listed as in the top 4% of challenging high schools NATIONWIDE. The index is determined by taking the total number of AP or IB (International Baccalaurate) tests given at a school in May, and dividing by the number of seniors graduating in June. (While Lafayette has not made the Challenge Index list, in the past its figures has put it close to the mark.)

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7723397/site/newsweek/

So even though WJC students are not taking as many AP tests as they could be, WJC is doing quite well even at current levels.

Mike Ludwick