Alabama education officials say the state is No. 1 in the nation for the growth in high school students making qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams for the last five years and for the growth in minority students taking AP courses.
Gov. Robert Bentley, state school Superintendent Tommy Bice and supporters of the A Plus College Ready program announced Monday in Millbrook that qualifying scores have gone up 102 percent and minority participation 318 percent over the last five years.
Bice said much of the improvement is driven by the 64 high schools that participate in A Plus College Ready. The public-private partnership provides students with extra test preparation sessions and help with the cost of the course exams.
Students who pass an AP exam can get college course credit.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press