Thomas B. Fordham Institute - Advancing Educational Excellence

Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program: Do Tough Trade-Offs Lie Ahead?

April 29, 2009

by Ann Duffett, Steve Farkas

In 2002-2003, 1 million students participated in AP by taking at least one exam. Five years later, nearly 1.6 million did—a 50+ percent increase. But is growth all good? Might there be a downside? Are ill prepared students eroding the quality of the program? Perhaps harming the best and brightest? To find out, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute commissioned the Farkas Duffett Research Group to survey AP teachers in public high schools across the country. Perhaps not surprisingly, the AP program remains very popular with its teachers. But there are signs that the move toward "open door" access to AP is starting to cause concern. Read the report to learn more.

 Full report: Executive Summary  |  Foreword  |  Report  |  Appendices

 Press materials: "Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program" in a Snapshot



An interview with Steve Farkas, President of the Farkas Duffett Research Group.
Fordham commissioned the FDR Group to research and write this report.

The report in the news:

AP More Open, But Not Dumbed Down
Washington Post, May 1, 2009

Teachers Offer Conflicting Views on AP Program's Rapid Growth
US News & World Report, April 30, 2009

Many Teachers in Advanced Placement Voice Concern at its Rapid Growth
New York Times, April 29, 2009

Poll Finds AP Teachers Torn Over Expansion
Education Week, April 29, 2009

Teachers question effectiveness of AP classes
WTOP, April 29, 2009

Fordham reports related to "Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program":

High-Achieving Students in the Era of No Child Left Behind

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate: Do They Deserve Gold Star Status?

 

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