By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – New York leads the nation in the number of high school graduates who score highly on Advanced Placement tests.
The College Board says that nearly 23 percent of high school graduates in New York in 2006 scored a three or better -- on a scale of five -- on the Advanced Placement exams. That's well above the national average of just under 15 percent.
Most colleges and universities will grant at least some academic credit to students earning a three or better on the tests.
According to the College Board, nearly 7,000 more public school students in New York took Advanced Placement exams last year. There was a marked increase in the number of low income and African-American students taking AP courses and tests.
"These results show more students, including the neediest children, are taking and passing rigorous coursework." said State Education Commissioner Richard Mills. "But these results also remind us that not enough children are benefiting. We must do much more to prepare all students -- from the earliest grades -- for the challenges demanded by college and work in a fiercely competitive global economy."