Alabama’s Superintendents assessment that the students are gaining in Advanced Placement is the equivalent of making Advancement with a Thimble full

In a press lease on February 10, 2010, Alabama's State Department of Education stated that "Student participation in AP courses and exams and AP exam scores continue to rise in Alabama." It is encouraging that more students, especially African-American students, are taking advanced courses and exams, however what the press release did not say was that the percentage of students failing AP exams is also on the rise. In 2004 32% of the African-American Students scored 3 or higher, in 2009 only 18% of African-American students scored 3 or higher. The percent of Low-income students passing the exam was down 14% also, and there was an 11% decrease in the percent of All Alabama students scoring 3 or better. Alabama's ranks among other states with a 45%-54.9% AP failure rate.

According to the press release Gov. Bob Riley said, "Expanding Advanced Placement programs is critical to providing a world-class education for our children and making sure they are prepared to succeed in today's "global economy". With whom will Alabama's student be able to compete based on these AP results?

In addition Alabama was one of six states to receive funding from National Governors Associations to expand AP courses to more minority and low-income students as well as one of seven states to be awarded a National Math and Science Initiative grant to strengthen AP programs. Are these AP results a satisfactory return on investment?

Evelyn Bowden
www.blogtalkradio.com/evelyn-bowden
www.letstalked.net