Advanced Placement (AP)

September 13, 2023

Let's shatter stereotypes about what an AP class — and students — look like

Teachers have the power to make young people feel better about themselves, and eventually to help them become more confident as they consider what kind of humans they really want to be.

June 4, 2020

Let’s recognize learning can happen anywhere — especially now

Many California adults have impressive skillsets and knowledge bases that merit college-level credit.

May 21, 2020

California students sue College Board after being unable to submit AP exams

College Board says students who couldn’t submit exams must retake them in June. Students instead want their original responses to be graded.

May 5, 2020

We must ensure online testing is equitable to all students

Colleges and testing companies should put student needs at center of decisions on how to handle assessments and admissions in a time of social distancing.

April 14, 2020

Much shorter Advanced Placement tests welcomed by some students, criticized by others

Despite health crisis, students still want to earn college credit with good AP scores. Anti-cheating measures will be enforced for at-home tests scheduled in May.

October 18, 2019

How one high school's dispute reflects the struggle to teach California’s science standards

California’s new science standards emphasize an approach that combines scientific disciplines.

October 15, 2019

Full-day kindergarten, STEM seal, Laotian history are among Gov. Newsom’s final vetoes

Here are a half-dozen K-12 and early education bills that the governor vetoed or signed on the last day crunch — and why.

July 23, 2017

New class leads to big gains in number of girls, minorities taking AP computer science exams

A new AP Computer Science Principles class focuses on the “big ideas” behind computer science.

May 3, 2017

Black and Latino parents worried about funding disparities in schools, poll finds

Parents said they were most concerned about funding, racism and teacher quality affecting black and Latino students. Meanwhile, 89 percent of black parents and 81 percent of Latinos wanted their children to be challenged more in school.

Larry Gordon

College Readiness

April 6, 2017

College readiness program aims to boost AP scores

The National Math + Science Initiative program has led to improved Advanced Placement test scores in more than 725 schools in 34 states over three years.

Theresa Harrington

College Readiness

February 21, 2017

California students again rank 5th in latest AP exam scores

Advanced Placement exam scores in California have grown steadily over the past decade, with the state now ranking 5th nationally for the percentage of students earning scores that qualify for college credit.

Fermin Leal

College Readiness

February 8, 2017

Loss of federal program could more than triple AP exam fee for some students

The new federal education law eliminated the subsidy for low-income students.

Fermin Leal

Career Preparation

October 26, 2016

California awards $200 million to help more students become college ready

Nearly 1,000 school districts, county education offices and charter schools across California will share $200 million in state grants as part of an effort to prepare more high school students for college.