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.
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.
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.
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.
California has received a $10.7 million federal grant to help offset the cost of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams for low-income students. The grant funding allows qualifying low-income students to pay just $5 to take AP or IB exams, which could earn them college credit.
