More Illinois students failing Advanced Placement tests

Illinois high school students continue to enroll in Advanced Placement courses in record numbers. But data released by the College Board indicates the proportion of them passing the rigorous AP exams continues to decline.

About two-thirds of the 2007 graduates who took an end-of-the-year AP exam posted a 3 or higher, the score needed to earn college credit on a scale of 1 to 5. Five years ago, 72 percent made the grade.

The results mirror what is happening across the country, where record numbers of students are sitting through AP classes, but a greater proportion of them are failing the exams.

Experts say the results suggest the explosion of AP courses has resulted in watered-down curriculum in some districts.