More WCPSS Students Taking College-Level AP Exams
October 23, 2008 – More Wake County Public School System students are taking college-level Advanced Placement exams and the percent of WCPSS students with a passing score remains significantly higher than the average for North Carolina.Number of students
Total number of AP exams taken
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More students take challenging courses
The Wake County Public School System had 4,605 students take 9,217 Advanced Placement exams for 2007-08. WCPSS had 4,068 students take 8,205 AP exams in 2006-07. This was the second year in a row that the number of AP tests taken had increased by more than 1,000.
In the past ten years, the number of WCPSS students taking AP exams has more than doubled to 4,605 in 2007-08 from 1,663 in 1997-98. The number of exams taken increased to 9,217 from 3,197.
WCPSS students have been encouraged to take more challenging courses such as AP classes, International Baccalaureate classes and Honors classes. By taking more rigorous classes, students get a head start on college-level work, improve writing skills and sharpen problem-solving techniques, develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work and stand out in the college admissions process.
Schools encourage rigor
The number of AP exams taken at Wakefield High increased to 720 for 2007-08 from 530 for 2006-07. Principal Mark Savage says a number of factors led to the increase.
“Classroom guidance and advertising increased last year,” said Savage. “There were general discussions with students during registration about AP classes and visits to all AP classes to discuss advantages of taking AP exams, as well as explanations of the costs, waiver information and how to prepare for the exams.”
At Wakefield, teachers talk about AP exams from day one increasing the likelihood students will take the exam. Students in the classes feel well prepared and are interested in earning college credit. The school provided a long window for registration, giving students ample time to consider taking part in the classes.
Since opening in 2006 with ninth and tenth grade students, Holly Springs High added juniors in 2007 and a senior class this year. Holly Springs had 138 students take 263 AP exams last year. The school uses the College Board AP Potential report based on their PSAT results and an AP Scholars night at the school to encourage student participation. The school uses an AP Roadmap that helps explain to students what AP courses are available and what year to take classes. Students entering AP courses sign an agreement that includes taking the AP exam as an expectation.
Holly Springs principal Luther Johnson says relationships are a key. “Students will take courses under teachers they like, regardless of the rigor,” said Johnson. “Our teachers work hard to establish solid relationships with their students. This pays off as students consider courses for the upcoming school year.”
Wake Forest-Rolesville High and Holly Springs High worked with feeding middle schools to identify rising ninth graders for an AP Human Geography course. At Wake Forest Rolesville parents, as well as students were encouraged to register for the course. Assistant Principal Dwayne Cook says the school provided time during registration for school counselors to talk with students about their course selections and encouraged rigorous classes. The school also reviewed AP course offerings and scheduling to encourage student participation.
At Millbrook High, administrators have made some changes to encourage increased student participation in AP exams. Assistant Principal Tara Drouhard says a major change to accommodate students was scheduling some AP classes differently.
“For the first time last year, we offered some AP classes on a year-long schedule, which allowed students to remain in the course through May when the test is administered,” said Drouhard. Before the change, classes were part of the semester block schedule where students took first semester classes that ended in January and then waited several months for the College Board administration of the exam in May.
At Millbrook High, AP teachers started collaborating and vertically aligning the curriculum both within their own department and across departments The AP teachers "highly recommended" that students take the exam. This was the first time teachers stated a school-wide expectation for the exam.
Students can earn college credit
While the number of WCPSS students taking exams and the number of AP exams taken increased, the percent of students who scored 3 or higher on the exam declined slightly to 74.4 percent in 2007-08 from 75.7 percent in 2006-07. The average exam score for 2007-08 was 3.30. Students earn a grade of 1-5 on the exam. With a score of 3 or higher, students can often obtain course credit from the colleges or universities they attend.
The 3.30 exam average of WCPSS students is higher than the 2.79 exam average of NC students. While 74.4 percent of WCPSS students who took AP exams scored 3 or higher, 56.3 percent of NC students scored 3 or higher.
English Popular; Students Successful in Calculus
More than 1,000 WCPSS students took AP exams in Environmental Science; English Language and Composition; and U.S. History. There were increases of more than 100 students taking AP exams in English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition and Environmental Science.
More than 80 percent of WCPSS students scored a 3 or higher on Calculus BC. More than 75 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on Environmental Science, U.S. Government and Politics, Physics B, Psychology, Spanish Language and World Politics.
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