The number of Kentucky public high school students taking Advanced Placement tests and scoring at higher levels continues to rise.AP classes give students a chance to earn college credit while still in high school.In 2008, Kentucky increased its efforts to make AP classes and exams more accessible to students. Today, the Kentucky Department of Education continues funding and encouraging students to push themselves and the most recent AP numbers reflect this.Data released by the College Board this week shows 26,523 students took at least one AP test last school year, nearly doubling the amount taken in 2008 (14,664).The data shows the number of African-American and Hispanic students are growing at the fastest rates, but the percentage of students taking AP exams in the two minority groups--when compared to the demographics--still lags behind white students.The number of African-American students taking AP exams has gone from 686 in 2008 to 1,412 in 2012, and the number of Hispanic students has gone from 283 in 2008 to 754 in 2012.The number of white students taking one or more exams went from 12,511 in 2008 to 22,014 in 2012.When compared to their respective demographics that means about four percent of white students take an AP exam, around three percent for Hispanic students and around two percent for African-American students.Nearly half of all tests taken scored high enough to earn college credit.
