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A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

February 21, 2018
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For immediate release
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Contact: Jacqueline Reis 781-338-3115   
   
 
Massachusetts Students Lead Nation in Advanced Placement Success for Second Year
Has highest percentage of graduating class scoring a 3 or higher
on an AP exam

MALDEN – For the second year in a row, Massachusetts is the top state in the nation in terms of the percentage of the graduating class that scored a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement exam, according to results that the College Board released today.
 
In addition, the Commonwealth had the highest 10-year growth in the percentage of graduates who scored a 3 or higher.
 
That accomplishment reflects both strong participation – 45.9 percent of Massachusetts' class of 2017 took at least one AP exam while they were in high school – and frequent success, with 32.1 percent of the overall class of 2017 scoring 3 or higher out of a possible 5 on an AP exam. Both figures were increases over the class of 2016.
 
“Massachusetts is proud of our students and teachers who have once again led the nation in Advancement Placement results,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our state is focused on providing kids from every ZIP code with a quality and affordable education, from early education to post graduate, and will keep working on opportunities to provide pathways to success for all.”
 
“For a second year in a row, students have ranked number one in Advanced Placement scores thanks to the dedication and commitment of Massachusetts educators across our Commonwealth’s cities and towns,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This success sends a  strong signal that as our students continue to participate in the advanced course work available to them, Massachusetts schools help them open doors and prepare them for college and careers in science, technology, engineering, math and other fields.”
 
"Massachusetts has set the gold standard when it comes to AP, and that is testament to the daily work of thousands of dedicated AP students and teachers," said Trevor Packer, the College Board senior vice president responsible for the AP Program. "Educators in the state are making sure AP students' success is at the core of their educational goals in order to prepare students for college and career success."
 
Participation in AP exams by members of the class 2017 rose by 1.8 percent compared to the prior year, and the number of graduates who scored a 3 or higher rose by 0.9 percent. A score of 3 or above on an AP exam shows that a student is capable of doing the work for an introductory college-level course in that subject area, according to the College Board.
 
“We are very proud that Massachusetts students top their peers in other states on AP exam scores, but even more impressed that a larger number of our students commit to taking these challenging advanced courses every year,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.
 
"I am proud of what our students and teachers have accomplished, and I would also like to recognize the efforts of Mass Insight Education and Research, which has partnered with many schools across the state to expand access to AP courses," Acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Wulfson said.
 
"Mass Insight Education and Research is proud to partner with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the teachers and students in our 78 partner high schools across the Commonwealth in keeping Massachusetts on top," said Dr. Susan F. Lusi, president and CEO of Mass Insight Education and Research. "The work in the classroom, at our Saturday study sessions and during our summer institute for AP teachers is definitely paying off. Once again, our students lead the nation in succeeding in rigorous AP courses." 
 
Massachusetts (32.1 percent) is first in the nation, ahead of Maryland (31.2 percent) and Connecticut (31.0 percent), in terms of the percentage of the class of 2017 who scored 3 or higher on an AP exam.
 
Hispanic/Latino and black students continue to make gains in participation and performance. In 2007, Hispanic/Latino high school graduates had taken 1,761 AP exams; in 2017, they had taken 9,200 (which was also an increase over the class of 2016's 8,168 exams). In 2007, Hispanic/Latino high school graduates had received scores of 3 or higher on 893 exams; in 2017, they had scored 3 or higher on 4,314 AP exams (which was also an increase over the class of 2016's 3,793 exams).  
 
Black students also saw gains. In 2007, black high school graduates had taken 1,078 AP exams; in 2017, they had taken 4,592 (which was also an increase over the class of 2016's 4,211 exams). In 2007, black high school graduates had received scores of 3 or higher on 440 exams; in 2017, they had scored 3 or higher on 1,434 AP exams (which was also an increase over the class of 2016's 1,428 exams).
 
(Note: The College Board changed how it asks students about race and ethnicity during the 2015-16 school year.)
 
Low-income members of Massachusetts' class of 2017 also saw improvement compared to 10 years ago, particularly in the area of participation. In 2007, low-income high school graduates had taken 4,492 AP exams; in 2017, they had taken 20,325 (which was also an increase over the class of 2016's 19,621 exams). In 2007, low-income high school graduates had received scores of 3 or higher on 2,115 exams; in 2017, they had scored 3 or higher on 8,787 AP exams (which was a decrease compared to the class of 2016's 9,090 exams).
 
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