CT Students No. 1 In Nation For AP Exam Scores: Report

CONNECTICUT — The College Board announced that the state has ranked first in the nation on student performance of advanced placement exams. It's the first time Connecticut has earned that achievement.

The report, released Wednesday, indicates that 34.5 percent of 2020 high school graduates in the Nutmeg State earned a score of 3 or more on an AP exam. The total number of the state's graduating class who took an AP exam in high school increased by over five percent in the last five years.

In particular, Gov. Ned Lamont applauded the data that showed noticeable increases with respect to exam participation and performance among students from low-income families, and Black and Hispanic students.

"Every student – no matter their family income or zip code – deserves access to an education that prepares them to lead successful careers," Lamont said.

The governor attributed the upturn in scores to "the amazing teachers, faculty, staff, volunteers, and parents who dedicate themselves to the next generation of students."

To improve access and remove barriers for underrepresented student populations, the Connecticut State Department of Education has fully covered AP exam fees for students from low-income families for the last seven years and plans to continue this practice, according to a news release.

“Setting the bar high by expanding access to rigorous, college-level coursework, like AP courses and college-entrance exams, is critical to delivering on our promise of an equitable and excellent education," Deputy Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker said.

The College Board report praised the emphasis the state places on the importance of students challenging themselves academically by taking rigorous coursework when in high school, whether it be AP, international baccalaureate, or dual-enrollment courses.

"These kinds of reports, which show our state leading the nation, have an impact on our overall economic competitiveness because we can show our business leaders who are looking to hire a workforce that this is the place they need to be," Lamont said.