More Dist. 214 students challenging themselves with AP courses

The number of District 214 students taking Advanced Placement courses and tests continue to increase, according to Northwest Suburban High School District 214 officials.

AP course enrollment rose 25 percent in the past year and 45.1 percent in the past two years, despite enrollment decreases in both years. The number of AP tests taken also rose by 18.5 percent in the past year and 42 percent in the past two years, according to a District 214 news release.

The fact that 24.9 percent more students took AP tests in 2009 than in 2008 indicates the recent increases in AP test-taking are almost entirely due to more students taking the test, not simply more tests taken by a select few students.

District 214 students represent 1.7 percent of the total state high school population and 8.7 percent of all students who took AP exams in Illinois.

"We have seen that many students who were not originally considered honors students are successfully completing AP courses and meeting success standards on the AP test," said Director of Research and Evaluation Steve Cordogan. "The pass rate has changed little despite these huge increases in test taking."

The number of successful tests taken per student, which is the ultimate measure of AP progress, has increased by 15.3 percent in the past year and at least 130 percent since 2001, the baseline year for measuring successful tests taken.

The most increase occurred within the last four years, up nearly 80 percent since 2005. All schools have had gains in all measures since 2001, and all experienced growth this year.

Student learning and performance have improved due to the increased course rigor. This enables more District 214 students to complete college earlier, thereby saving literally millions of dollars districtwide every year in college tuition for courses that do not have to be taken.

- District 214 press office