Students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are taking greater numbers of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, taking AP classes and exams earlier in their high school careers, increasing overall achievement, and posting higher scores on exams, according to data just released by FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale.
As reported by the College Board, the total number of AP exams taken by all students in 2004 rose to 21,213, up from 20,689 in 2003 (see Attachment 1). Along with the rise in number of tests taken is an increase in scores of three or above to 14,190 (67 percent of the tests taken) in 2004, up from 13,278 in 2003 (see Attachment 1). The mean score on the tests also went up to 3.13 in 2004 from 3.05 in 2003 (see Attachment 1). The total number of students taking AP exams was 10,570 in 2004, compared to 10,169 in 2003 (see Attachment 2).
“This is tremendous achievement by our students given that the number of tests taken and the number of students taking the tests continues to rise,” said Dale. “To have over two-thirds of the test results at the level of three or higher while continuing to expand our students’ opportunity for involvement indicates the strength of FCPS’ high school programs. I am particularly pleased to see that students are taking AP courses and exams earlier in their academic careers.” Figures for 2004 show 58 percent of students tested reported to be in a grade other than 12, compared to 52 percent in 2003 and 45 percent in 2001.
Although participation of minority students in the AP exams decreased slightly, achievement as measured by the mean score and the number of tests at or above three increased for all ethnic groups. The results for Black students showed the greatest increase in the mean score and the percentage of Black students’ tests at or above a three jumped by eight points. Asian and White students’ participation was at its highest levels in 2004.
The number of students scoring a 3 or above was also at a historic high for all ethnic groups (see Attachment 1) except for students who did not report an ethnic group. The number of tests taken by Asian students rose from 4,491 in 2003 to 4,657 in 2004, and their average score rose from 2.96 to 3.01. Scores for White students rose to 3.21 compared to 3.14 in 2003, with 13,222 tests taken, up from 12,859. Scores for Hispanic students rose from 3.02 to 3.08, while the number of tests taken dipped slightly from 1,071 to 1,004. Black students took 706 tests in 2004, down from 726 in 2003, with an increase in average test scores from 2.42 in 2003 to 2.52 in 2004.
In the areas in which at least 200 tests were taken, large gains—scoring three or above—were made by students in Government and Politics: Comparative (22percent), Psychology (9 percent), English Literature and Composition (8 percent), and Biology (6 percent). (see Attachment 4).
The number of eleventh graders taking the tests increased from 3,565 in 2003 to 3,907 in 2004 while the number of ninth and tenth grade test takers increased from 1,450 in 2003 to 1,714 in 2004. The number of 12th grade students taking the exams decreased from 4,843 in 2003 to 4,458 in 2004; however, 12th graders continued to constitute the largest percentage of test takers, making up 42.2 percent of the tested population (see Attachment 2).
Of the students who indicated their ethnicity, the number of Asian students increased from 1,975 to 2,130; the number of Hispanic students decreased from
622 to 588; the number of White students increased from 6,428 in 2003 to 6,635 in 2004; and the number of Black students increased from 404 to 411
(see Attachment 3).###
Note: For more information, contact Ray Diroll, coordinator, FCPS Office of Student Testing, at 703-208-7779.
FCPS Results for All Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Mean Score and Number of Tests Taken and
Percent and Number at or Above 3
2001 Through 2004
|
|
Mean Score (MS) and Number (N) of Tests Taken |
Percent (%) and Number (N) at or Above 3 |
||||||||||||||
| 2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|||||||||
| MS |
N |
MS |
N |
MS |
N |
MS |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
|
| Asian |
2.88 |
3,488 |
2.95 |
4,187 |
2.96 |
4,491 |
3.01 |
4,657 |
58 |
2,034 |
60 |
2,507 |
60 |
2,693 |
61 |
2,846 |
| Black |
2.47 |
673 |
2.39 |
780 |
2.42 |
726 |
2.52 |
706 |
45 |
300 |
42 |
325 |
41 |
301 |
49 |
343 |
| Hispanic |
3.11 |
825 |
3.11 |
1,012 |
3.02 |
1,071 |
3.08 |
1,004 |
63 |
519 |
63 |
642 |
60 |
639 |
65 |
653 |
| White |
3.08 |
11,022 |
3.16 |
12,509 |
3.14 |
12,859 |
3.21 |
13,222 |
65 |
7,162 |
68 |
8,559 |
68 |
8,725 |
70 |
9,300 |
| Other |
2.86 |
867 |
2.93 |
1,114 |
2.86 |
1,016 |
3.08 |
1,080 |
57 |
497 |
60 |
666 |
57 |
581 |
65 |
697 |
| Not Stated |
3.08 |
476 |
2.96 |
634 |
3.08 |
467 |
3.10 |
473 |
66 |
313 |
62 |
390 |
66 |
307 |
67 |
315 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Females |
2.93 |
9,301 |
2.99 |
10,905 |
2.98 |
10,996 |
3.07 |
11,445 |
60 |
5,587 |
62 |
6,802 |
62 |
6,823 |
65 |
7,462 |
| Males |
3.09 |
8,050 |
3.15 |
9,331 |
3.14 |
9,693 |
3.20 |
9,768 |
65 |
5,238 |
67 |
6,287 |
67 |
6,455 |
69 |
6,728 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Total |
3.00 |
17,351 |
3.06 |
20,236 |
3.05 |
20,689 |
3.13 |
21,213 |
62 |
10,825 |
65 |
13,089 |
64 |
13,278 |
67 |
14,190 |
FCPS Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Number and Percent of Students
Tested by Grade Level
2001 Through 2004
| Grade Level |
Number by Grade Level |
Percent by Grade Level |
||||||
| 2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
| 9 and 10 |
620 |
1,641 |
1,450 |
1,714 |
7.1 |
15.9 |
14.3 |
16.2 |
| 11 |
3,100 |
3,735 |
3,565 |
3,907 |
35.6 |
36.2 |
35.1 |
37.0 |
| 12 |
4,800 |
4,683 |
4,843 |
4,458 |
55.1 |
45.4 |
47.6 |
42.2 |
| Other |
196 |
254 |
311 |
491 |
2.2 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
4.6 |
| All Students |
8,716 |
10,313 |
10,169 |
10,570 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
FCPS Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Number of Students Tested
by Ethnicity*
2001 Through 2004
| Ethnicity |
Number of Students Tested |
|||
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
| Asian |
1,621 |
1,939 |
1,975 |
2,130 |
| Black |
381 |
434 |
404 |
411 |
| Hispanic |
503 |
598 |
622 |
588 |
| White |
5,505 |
6,456 |
6,428 |
6,635 |
| Other |
462 |
553 |
517 |
537 |
| Total |
8,472 |
9,980 |
9,946 |
10,570 |
*Numbers represent only those students who took the test and indicated their ethnicity.
FCPS Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations by Subject
Mean Scores, Percent at or Above 3,
and Number of Tests Taken
2001 Through 2004
| Tests |
Mean Score |
Percent at or Above 3 |
Number of Tests Taken |
||||||||||
| 2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
||
| English Language and Composition |
2.89 |
3.07 |
3.07 |
3.23 |
59 |
68 |
70 |
73 |
690 |
1,656 |
1,627 |
2,223 |
|
| English Literature and Composition |
2.98 |
3.11 |
3.03 |
3.15 |
64 |
70 |
65 |
73 |
2,022 |
1,817 |
2,070 |
1,943 |
|
| Math, Calculus AB |
2.60 |
3.01 |
2.80 |
2.64 |
51 |
65 |
57 |
49 |
1,656 |
1,491 |
1,407 |
1,330 |
|
| Math, Calculus BC |
3.44 |
3.69 |
3.65 |
3.65 |
73 |
80 |
80 |
78 |
919 |
900 |
955 |
975 |
|
| United States History |
3.00 |
3.21 |
3.27 |
3.30 |
61 |
67 |
71 |
72 |
2,420 |
2,683 |
2,527 |
2,928 |
|
| European History |
2.75 |
3.04 |
3.25 |
3.25 |
57 |
71 |
75 |
75 |
394 |
306 |
301 |
212 |
|
| Gov't. and Politics: United States |
3.03 |
2.92 |
2.95 |
3.02 |
66 |
61 |
60 |
64 |
2,759 |
2,997 |
3,096 |
2,945 |
|
| Gov't. and Politics: Comparative |
3.00 |
3.20 |
2.67 |
3.30 |
71 |
73 |
57 |
79 |
306 |
229 |
267 |
227 |
|
| Economics, Micro |
3.80 |
3.74 |
3.66 |
3.56 |
87 |
88 |
78 |
83 |
54 |
34 |
41 |
36 |
|
| Economics, Macro |
3.83 |
4.03 |
3.81 |
3.31 |
81 |
94 |
78 |
76 |
52 |
34 |
37 |
32 |
|
| Biology |
2.96 |
3.13 |
3.14 |
3.26 |
57 |
62 |
60 |
66 |
879 |
919 |
967 |
887 |
|
| Chemistry |
3.01 |
3.04 |
3.18 |
3.26 |
61 |
62 |
67 |
66 |
473 |
662 |
483 |
521 |
|
| Physics B |
2.45 |
2.42 |
2.68 |
2.42 |
46 |
46 |
59 |
50 |
135 |
149 |
193 |
141 |
|
| Physics C, Mechanics |
2.96 |
2.92 |
3.27 |
3.05 |
62 |
56 |
68 |
51 |
384 |
365 |
350 |
332 |
|
| Physics C, Electric and Magnetic |
2.87 |
2.77 |
3.28 |
3.12 |
55 |
49 |
65 |
||||||