Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/259054
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California often ranks near the bottom of national measures of educa- tion quality and student achievement, but a report to be published Tuesday puts the state ahead of the curve in one area: the number of public school students enrolling in Advanced Placement classes and also doing well enough to earn college credits. The number of Califor- nia students who took at least one AP exam during their high school careers increased by almost 77 per- cent over the last decade, rising from 86,303 in the Class of 2003 to a nation- leading 152,647 in last year's graduating class and far outpacing the 10 percent growth in the number of high school graduates over- all during the same period, according to the report from The College Board. As a share of all gradu- ates, students who sat for at least one AP test rose from 31.9 percent in 2003 to 40.6 percent last year, giving California the sixth-highest participation rate in the U.S. The District of Columbia ranked first, followed by Florida, Maryland, Arkansas, and Virginia. The state also ranked sixth in the percentage of students who earned a score of 3 or better — the grade many colleges and universi- ties require to issue college credit for AP classwork — on the rigorous exams, The College Board said. About 27 percent of California's AP test-takers did that well, compared to a national aver- age of about 20 percent. The College Board administers the Advanced Placement program, which is designed to provide stu- dents with college-level coursework and the chance to earn college credits while they are in high school. Tuesday's report indi- cates that California is mak- ing progress on eliminating historical gaps in the num- ber of black and Hispanic students who participate in the program compared to Asian and white peers. Last year, black students made up 6.2 of the state's gradu- ates and 3.7 of its AP test- takers. Latinos made up 43.8 of the Class of 2013 and 38.3 of those who took an AP exam. The College Board high- lighted a Southern Califor- nia school district, the El Monte Union High School District, as a model for increasing both participa- tion in AP classes and the AP test passage rate. The board named El Monte the medium-sized district of the year. Last year, 55 percent of its students scored 3 or better on an AP exam. ''The El Monte Union High School District is a shining example of what can happen when educators insist on providing the high- est-quality education for every student — no matter their zip code or back- ground. Through the rigor- ous course work of Advanced Placement, these schools are better preparing students for success in col- lege and beyond,'' U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement. 8A Daily News – Wednesday, February 12, 2014 MEET MERCY Wednesday, February 19, 2014 8:15 am - 3:15 pm Mercy High School Prepared for Success 233 Riverside Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 For more information or to RSVP, please call us at 527-8313 Guests will be paired with a student of similar interest. The opportunities and experiences that await you at Mercy... • The latest in textbook technology. All Students are equipped with I-Pads! • 100% of our graduates go on to college • Personalized College Counseling • Exceptional Opportunities for Student Involvement • Leadership, Clubs, Community Service, Athletics and Fine Arts • Meet faculty and students • Lunch provided Join us for the day & get a taste of a day at Mercy High 900 Jackson St. • 527-1833 Lic. #0530362 Home Auto Farm Commercial www.andy4ins.com ANDY HOUGHTON Insurance Agency Motorcycle Boat RV Life Mon.-Fri. 9AM-5PM (530) 527-6166 78 Belle Mill Road Red Bluff, CA GAUMER'S Jewelry • Museum • Lapidary Remember Your Special Someone On Valentine's Day 723 Main St Red Bluff, Ca www.palominoroom.com Date Night for Two! $ 25 99 Includes: Ribs, Chicken, Brisket, Cole Slaw, Ranch Beans, Fries & Cornbread Palomino Room Texas BBQ Join us on Friday February 14 th ! Call Today to Reserve your Table 530.527.5470 Prime Rib 10oz $ 17 99 & 14oz $ 21 99 Seared Salmon $ 15 99 2 Bud's BBQ 22825 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff We seat 40 people inside M-F 11am-6pm Sat. 11am-3pm Closed Sunday (530) 528-0799 CATER COMPANY MEETINGS BBQ PORK ★ BEEF ★ CHICKEN PRE-REGISTER BY FEB. 18 @ Tehama Family Fitness or call 528-8656 JUST ADDED Youth under 12 $12 to run pre registration & $15 day of race Calif. ranks 6th in US on AP exam participation