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Florida Students Shine On AP Exams

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 5, 2009

Florida continues to outperform the national average on most measures of success in Advanced Placement exams, according to data released Wednesday.

The state ranked higher than all but three states in the percentage of high school seniors who took the exams, according to the College Board, which administers the Advanced Placement program.

Florida's students also exceeded the national average of seniors who passed the exam in 2008. While about 15 percent nationally received a score of 3 or higher - a mark the College Board says is predictive of college success - Florida's percentage was 18.2.

Florida, though, continues to show mixed results among its minority students.

While Hispanic students make up 22 percent of all the state's students, they represent nearly 25 percent of students who took the AP exam, according to the College Board's report. Their passing rate, 27.5 percent, was double the national average, 13.8 percent.

A gap persists among black students, however. Black students make up 20.6 percent of Florida's students, but only 12 percent of those took the AP exam. Of those who took the exam, only 6 percent scored a 3 or higher.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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