12 Sep 2006
Number of exams passed by African American and Hispanic students is 24 times higher than in 1995
Dallas—Dallas Independent School District students posted the largest gains ever this year on the number of passed Advanced Placement exams, according to preliminary results from the College Board, which administers the tests.
Nearly 500 more AP exams were passed by Dallas students compared to last year, an increase of more than 20 percent.
"These gains are very encouraging because of what they mean to each and every student who passes one of these exams," said Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "The more AP exams that students pass, the fewer courses that they'll have to take in college to graduate. It is very clear that Dallas students are moving in the right direction on Advanced Placement exams."
In addition, Dallas students continued a 10-year upward trend of the number of students taking and passing AP exams. In 1996, of the 1,531 Advanced Placement exams taken by Dallas students only 531 exams were passed. In 2006, both numbers continued to increase: 9,585 exams were taken and 2,905 exams were passed.
The number of exams passed by African American and Hispanic students is 24 times higher this year than in 1995. In 1995, only 65 AP exams were passed by Dallas ISD African American and Hispanic students. That number increased to 1,602 this year.
"The reason for student success on the Advanced Placement exams is the hard work and diligence of the Advanced Placement students and teachers in Dallas ISD," said Liliana Valadez, assistant superintendent – College and Career Readiness. "We also have to thank the program's supporters in the community—Texas Instruments Foundation, Roger A. Enrico Foundation, O'Donnell Foundation, and Advanced Placement Strategies."
The AP Incentive program rewards students and teachers financially for scoring a 3 or above on Advanced Placement exams. The program initially started in 10 Dallas ISD high schools and has since been expanded to include all district high schools.
"The gains are important because research has shown that there may be no greater indicator of success in college than passing an Advanced Placement exam," said Gregg Fliesher, Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. "Students taking Advanced Placement exams do better in college than those who don't take the exams."