Growing Number of Illinois Graduates Excel on AP Exams -

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Illinois’ Class of 2015 exceeds the national average of students scoring a 3 or higher on college-level tests

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois ranks 11^th in the nation for the percentage of 2015 graduates – 25 percent – who scored at least a 3 on the rigorous College Board Advanced Placement exams during their high school career. The national average is 22.4 percent, according to the latest AP Cohort Data Report.

“Illinois continues to move up the ladder of state performance as record numbers of high school students are taking these challenging, college-level exams,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “AP exams have a proven track record of giving students a valuable head start in their college coursework and can save time and money toward earning their degree.”

AP exams measure a student’s content mastery of college-level studies in specific academic disciplines. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam demonstrates that a student is capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject in college. Last year, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Public Act 99-0358, which requires all public universities and public community colleges in Illinois to award college credit to students who submit scores of 3 or higher on AP exams starting in the 2016-17 school year.

Illinois also continues to report record numbers of graduates taking AP exams, with a total of 48,627 graduates (nearly 38 percent) taking at least one AP exam, more than double the amount of graduates who took the exam in 2005. The percentage of Illinois graduates who scored a 3 or higher grew by 11.7 percentage points from 13.3 percent in 2005 to 25 percent in 2015. Illinois is fourth in the nation for the largest percentage point increase over the last decade.

Additionally, 15 Illinois school districts have been named to the AP Honor Roll, which recognizes districts that increase access to AP coursework while also increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams. These districts are:

· Aurora West School District 129*

· Barrington Community Unit School District 220*

· Carterville Community Unit School District 5*

· Chicago Public Schools*

· Community High School District 155*

· Dunlap Community Unit School District 323*

· Huntley Consolidated School District 158*

· J. Sterling Morton High School District 201

· Kaneland Community Unit School District 302*

· Lyons Township High School District 204

· McLean County Unit District No. 5*

· Proviso Township High School District 209