Department Of Education Says Record Number Of Students Achieved AP College Credits In 2016

A record number of Louisiana high school students earned advanced placement college credits in 2016. State Education Superintendent John White says they’ve been working hard to raise expectations when it comes to academics.

He says these scores prove that while we have a ways to go, students are just as smart and capable as any in the country.

“Since 2012, the number of qualifying on the AP, which qualifies students for credits in colleges anywhere in this country, have increased by 108%.”

White says 845 more A.P. tests were passed this year in Louisiana compared to 2015.

“In 2015, Louisiana was the second most improved state in the country according to the College Board in terms of the progress made in advanced placement, we expect this year that it will show similar things.”

White says these improvements show when opportunities are given to students to show their potential, they rise to the challenge and do great. He says students in Louisiana also earned record numbers of college credits by taking the College-Level Examination Program.

“In 2014, only 41 CLEP tests were taken, this year 6,053 were taken.”

White says over the last 4 years, Livingston Parish is the most improved parish in the state when it comes to students receiving college credits on their AP tests. St. Bernard Parish is second and Terrebonne is third.