Question about these AP score statistics

[angela in ohio]

We are looking at high schools right now, with the thought of sending our oldest part or full-time, in order to give her opportunities for advanced courses. What do you think of these statistics:

 

"156 students took 269 tests in Art History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry,

English Literature/Composition, Enviromental Science, European History,

French, Latin, Music Theory, Psychology, Spanish, United States Government

and Politics and United States History.

67% scored a 3 or higher, 17% scored a 5, 25% scored a 4,

and 25% scored a 3."

 

All students who take the course are required to take the test.

 

Do you think this is decent?

[Kathy in Richmond]

Well, you could compare their results to last year's 2010 score statistics posted by the College Board here.

 

Your school seems to be a bit better in comparison overall, especially at the higher scoring levels, but it's difficult to say anything more specific since the school jumbled all the different subjects together in their summary. The fact that they got those results when all the students were required to take the tests is good. When the local schools here had that policy, the results were a lot lower than 67% passing.

 

ETA: The fact that at least some kids are scoring at very high levels means that the resources are available and the teaching must be OK. After that, how your child would do on the tests probably depends on what effort she puts into them. I'd be very worried if no one was getting a high score.

 

Kathy

Edited November 29, 2010 by Kathy in Richmond

[Gwen in VA]

If 17% are scoring a 5, that means that at least in some subjects the classes are strong enough that some students are scoring a 5. That's great! And 67% getting a 3 and above given that students are required to take the AP exam is also great.

 

It sounds to me like a motivated student can learn the AP subjects well at that school.

 

If you are really concerned about the caliber of the school and the type of academic experience your child will receive there, you might want to think about which AP classes your child will take and try to find out the statistics for those classes. For example, if your child won't take French or Environmental Science, the fact that those classes are strong will only affect your child indirectly. But if your child will probably take French and U. S. Government, then you probably care much more about the scores in those subjects.

 

At least in my town, the AP statistics are available on a subject-by-subject basis as well as a year-by-year basis.