The Arkansas Department of Education said Tuesday that the number of Arkansas students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams this year has increased 108 percent over 2004.
The department said that's the largest increase any state has seen in a single year in the College Board's 50-year history in the AP exam. The department attributed the increase to a new state law that requires AP courses in English, math, science and social studies be available in all Arkansas high schools by the 2008-2009 school year.
Statistics show that 13,883 Arkansas students took 23,014 AP exams in 2005 compared to 6,674 students taking 11,112 exams last year.
Governor Mike Huckabee lauded the results, saying it proves education reforms are working. The president of the College Board, which administers the exam, commended Arkansas for its efforts and Ken James, who is head of the state Education Department, said Arkansas students are on the right road because taking an AP exam is a predictor of later success.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)