Arkansas Tops Nation in Improved AP Scores

posted by: Alix | June 14, 2011, 07:38 PM

At the monthly State Board of Education meeting it was announced that Arkansas is ranked #1 in increasing qualifying scores on math, science and English Advanced Placement tests between 2009 and 2010. The top ranking is for both overall student achievement and for minority student achievement.

"This is a proud day for Arkansas and a sign that more of our students are getting an excellent, and not just an adequate, education," Governor Mike Beebe said. "We will continue this momentum, both to make ongoing improvements, as well as to sustain these outstanding achievements."

The Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science (AAIMS) is a major factor in the state's success. Their implementation of a three-year program sponsored by a grant from the National Math and Science Initiative has greatly increased student outcomes. The AAIMS program has combined training, teacher-and-student support, and incentives in 24 schools throughout Arkansas.

The second set of schools added this past year saw a 74% increase in qualifying AP scores in math, science, and English, nine times higher than the national average. The first group of schools, announced in 2008, saw a 69% two-year increase in qualifying students, and a 202% two-year increase for minority students in math, science, and English. These substantial increases were unprecedented in any other state.

"Arkansas' impressive AP numbers are a great start," said ASTA Membership Director Shanna Morgason. "This will certainly be an encouraging statistic heading into next school year."

What do you think of Arkansas' progress?
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