NM rises in AP course participation
More than 10,000 students take at least one advanced placement exam in 2016 as growth jumps to second
New Mexico has seen a dramatic increase in the number of high school students tackling rigorous advanced placement exams, ranking second in the nation for growth, according to new data touted by the Public Education Department on Thursday.
More than 10,000 New Mexico students took at least one AP test in 2016, up from roughly 8,600 the year before, a 17 percent boost.
In total, roughly 15,700 exams were taken and just more than 35 percent were passed, adding up to nearly 17,000 in potential college credits and $3.55 million saved on tuition costs.
“These courses are some of the most challenging our students can take,” Gov. Susana Martinez said. “This just confirms everything I’ve always said over and over — that every child can learn. And I believe that from the bottom of my heart, that every single child, no matter your circumstances, no matter where you come from, and no
matter what language you speak, every single child can learn.”
New Mexico also came in fourth in the nation for providing AP access to low-income students thanks to a state fee waiver program that helps cover the $93 exam cost.
Cleveland High School senior Ethan Sena said he was grateful for the financial support, which helped him pass seven AP classes in the past few years. The aspiring mechanical engineer recently became the first Cleveland student to win an internship at Sandia National Lab.
“I’ve learned the vigor of what college courses are going to require, and with that, I have also gained college credit,” he said. “With three other brothers and the many AP exams I take every year, the reduced prices that I get greatly help everything that I do.”
Rio Rancho Public Schools performed particularly well on AP tests last year, with about 970 student earning 1,200 credits. Rio Rancho High School came in second in the state for growth in AP participation, and Cleveland High was third. Hobbs High, which receives grant funding for AP classes, was number one.
The positive news came a day after New Mexico received a dismal 49th place ranking in Education Week’s latest “Quality Counts” study — a review of various measures from pre-K enrollment to graduation rates.
Education Secretary Hanna Skandera noted that the report doesn’t include more positive data from this year, including the recent AP growth.
“You don’t move from 50th to first overnight,” she said. “We have gone from 50th to 49th, and you jump based on how much you are improving. We are definitely rising in the ranks when it comes to closing gaps with other states.”