November 30, 2006 EDITOR’S NOTE: The AP Report, which also includes International Baccalaureate results, is available at http://ed.sc.gov/topics/assessment/scores/APIB/2006/APIB2006.doc Schools’ performance on 2006 Advanced Placement exams was released today by the State Department of Education showing more Horry County Schools’ students participating in AP courses and taking AP exams than in 2005. Districtwide, 628 students participated in AP courses, an increase of 112 over the 516 who participated last year. These students took a total of 891 exams, an increase of 176 from 715 exams taken in 2005. Over a three-year period, there has been a 60 percent increase in the number of participating students and a 61 percent increase in the number of exams taken. The district’s percentage of students scoring between 3-5 on AP exams decreased to 55 percent, down seven percentage points from 62 percent last year. Generally, scores greater than 3 allow students to receive college credit for an AP course taken in high school. Since 1984, South Carolina has paid for AP instructional materials, paid students’ test fees and offered specialized training for teachers. Every student enrolled in an AP course is required to take the test. The five most-taken AP exams in 2006 were the same five as the previous year: United States History, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Calculus AB and Biology. The State Department of Education also released data on the 21 South Carolina high schools that are part of the International Baccalaureate, a Geneva, Switzerland-based diploma program that offers students intensive academic preparation. South Carolina’s participating schools are among 1,899 IB schools in 124 countries around the world. Aynor High School and Socastee High School both offer IB programs. At Aynor High School, 29 students participated in IB courses and took 39 IB exams. Of the 39 tests, 30, or 77 percent, received a score of 4 or higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very good, or excellent performance. At Socastee High School, 61 students participated in IB courses and took 151 IB exams. Of the 151 tests, 125, or 83 percent, received a score of 4 or higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very good, or excellent performance. Aynor High School had one student attempt and earn an IB diploma. Socastee High School had 16 students attempt an IB diploma and 15 earned one. Only one school in South Carolina had a higher success rate than Socastee High School in the percentage of students earning IB diplomas. Socastee High School’s success rate on IB diplomas is 94 percent. Below are individual AP results from nine district high schools and one academy. Results indicate the school, number of participating students, number of exams taken and the passage rate of students earning a score of 3 or higher: - Aynor High School; 27 students, 42 AP exams, 55% scored 3 or higher;
- Carolina Forest High School; 85 students, 98 AP exams, 70% scored 3 or higher;
- Conway High School; 55 students, 70 AP exams, 46% scored 3 or higher;
- Green Sea Floyds High School; 6 students, 7 AP exams;
(scores are not reported for this school due to the few number of exams taken); - Loris High School; 44 students, 49 AP exams, 20% scored 3 or higher;
- Myrtle Beach High School; 83 students, 120 AP exams, 73% scored 3 or higher;
- North Myrtle Beach High School; 100 students, 127 AP exams, 52% scored 3 or higher;
- Socastee High School; 107 students, 203 AP exams, 61% scored 3 or higher;
- St. James High School; 58 students, 73 AP exams, 66% scored 3 or higher; and
- Academy for Arts, Science and Technology; 63 students, 102 AP exams, 28% scored 3 or higher.
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