Fewer MCPS kids pass AP exams, more take tests but scores fall - Examiner

Fairfax, Montgomery students pass fewer AP exams | Washington Examiner

Washington-area high school students are failing a larger percentage of college course-level exams -- losing out on college credit and showing a shortfall in learning -- as more of them take the test... 

...Montgomery's participation increased most significantly for minorities: 16.4 percent more black and 9.2 percent more Hispanic students took at least one AP exam, compared with a 1.6 percent increase for white students.

A teacher at Sherwood High School said most Montgomery high schools have special committees to identify minority students who should take AP courses.

"Like kids who haven't taken any AP classes but have been getting Bs and Cs, or if their GPA is above 2.0, they'll try to target that student and enroll them in an AP course," said the teacher, who spoke on background. "They know the subgroups they're trying to increase [participation for]. It's not a secret."

Of 19 subjects areas offered, 50 percent or more of black test-takers failed 12 subject areas. On nine of the exams, at least half of Hispanic students failed. There were no exams on which white or Asian students failed at a rate of 50 percent...

...But there were benefits to taking AP classes, even if a student didn't pass the year-end exam: "You're being exposed to challenging material. You're with a different group of kids than you would otherwise be with," the Sherwood teacher said.

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