USA Today: More kids are failing AP

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FEBRUARY 04, 2010

[USA Today graphic]

Just last month, we reported that Florida's education commissioner believed high school Advanced Placement courses are overenrolled with unprepared students.

Now comes a USA Today story that indicates this is not just a Florida issue.

Headlined "Failure rates for AP tests climbing," the story details that the numbers of students receiving a 1 or 2 on the college-level exams is rising rapidly — particularly in the South — as the number of tests taken hit an all-time high.

The paper's map shows Florida in the bottom 15 when it comes to passing rates.

Of course, some experts and College Board folks say there's more to the data than meets the eye. One favorite and oft-used explanation: There's success within the failure as more students are challenged with rigorous course work.

We are just using this story to reignite the heated debate about the value of AP courses. Have at it.

Posted by Jeff Solochek at 1:30:00 pm on February 04, 2010 in

advanced placement

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

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Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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