More low-income students in Florida passing AP exams
If you're following the Florida AP debate closely, here's another dimension you should consider: The percentage of low-income students in Florida who are passing AP exams is growing fast and now exceeds regional and national averages, according to this newreport from the Southern Regional Education Board.
In 2009, 16 percent of low-income seniors in Florida passed at least one AP exam, up from 9 percent in 2004. That puts Florida above the national average of 15 percent and ahead of all the 16 SREB member states but Texas (at 26 percent) and Oklahoma (at 18 percent.)
In 2004, Florida was behind the national average of 12 percent and tied for fifth among SREB states. In terms of improvement from 2004 to 2009, Florida and Mississippi lead the pack among SREB states.
The SREB numbers also suggest the gap between participation and passage for that group isn't that big, with 18 percent of low-income seniors taking at least one AP test in 2009, up from 9 percent in 2004.
This is probably because the number of low income students has gone up a lot more in Florida than any other state. More high performing students are falling into the low income bracket as the unemployment in Florida is worse than any other state.
Or could it be that low income students are capable of learning.