More U-46 students taking AP exams

An effort to identify students in Elgin Area School District U-46 who are eligible to take Advanced Placement courses has resulted in an increase in the number of students taking AP exams, district officials said.

Greg Walker, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, said more students are receiving scores that qualify for college credit.

Advanced Placement classes are designed to mimic the intensity, workload and lessons of college-level classes in a variety of subjects. In many cases, students who score high on AP exams can place out of required college classes.

“We are trying to increase access for students, and teachers are doing a better job of promoting Advanced Placement courses,” Walker said. “It is a comprehensive approach to increase access and diversity.”

In the 2010-2011 school year, 2,246 students sat for an AP exam, Walker said. That number is up from the 1,782 students who took an exam the previous year. In addition, more students scored a 3, 4, or 5 last year compared to the 2009-2010 school year — 1,256 compared to 956, respectively. A score of 3 is generally the minimum needed to get academic credit in college.

Still, only 52 percent of students enrolled in AP classes at the district’s five high schools take the exam, Walker said.

U-46 is working on increasing that number as it strives to reach its goal of 3,375 students taking an AP exam by 2015.

“Finances are part of the challenge that students face, especially those who take more than one exam,” Walker said. “We are looking for ways to support the ability of students to access exams.”

The cost for taking an AP exam is at least $86, Walker said.

The district has unsuccessfully attempted to offset the cost of exams over the years.

This year, District U-46 implemented two new committees tasked with boosting AP enrollment and diversity to ensure participation is reflective of the district’s population.

Additionally, Superintendent Jose Torres has made expansion of the AP program a priority, incorporating it into his “Listening and Learning Plan” designed to raise overall achievement, close the “achievement gap” between low-income students and their peers and improve communication.