Illinois public school graduates continue to excel on Advanced Placement exams.
The Illinois State Board of Education released new data Thursday from the College Board showing the percentage of Illinois Class of 2023 public high school graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam climbed from 20.7% to 27.5% -- a gain of 6.8 percentage points over 10 years, which is the second largest increase among all states in the country.
The percentage of graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam expanded for every racial/ethnic group, led by gains for Hispanic students, who saw a 13.8 percentage point increase over 10 years. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam qualifies for free college credit at all public colleges and universities in Illinois.
Illinois continues to see significant increases in students participating in all types of advanced coursework. Data from the 2023 Illinois Report Card show that more than 13,000 additional students participated in AP, International Baccalaureate, dual credit, or honors courses last year than the year before; more than 12,000 additional students participated in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Officials say Illinois’ investments of state funds in the AP program have been the driving force behind the expansion of access and equity for low-income students.
Governor JB Pritzker’s fiscal year 2024 budget included $500,000 for a competitive grant program for eligible school districts to promote rigorous coursework. Additionally, the state dedicated $2.5 million to further reduce exam costs for low-income students to $7 in districts participating in the College Board's direct-billing program, ensuring equitable access to AP exams.
