AP – Overall
Prologue
- Advanced Placement (AP) tests are administered through The College Board, a national organization. Many colleges award college credit for coursework taken based on the score received on the AP test. Scores range from 1 to 5, with a 3 or above generally considered a passing score.
- These scores include all students who have taken AP exams, even those who did not take the class that was offered, but they took the exam. There are also a number of students who take exams for subjects that are not offered by Stevensville School District. Lastly, there are also students who enroll and complete the class but do not take the exam.
- The first graph tracks the percent of AP students who have scored a “3” or better on AP exams over the last five years. There are separate graphs for Stevensville students’ overall vs each course offered within the school. Each graph compares Stevensville students with state and national averages in a side by side comparison.
- Advance placement courses currently offered at Stevensville High School are dictated by staff qualifications and student interest. Course offerings for the past five years include: Environmental Science, Studio Art Drawing, U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History, Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Statistics, Spanish.
- There are significant differences between the states regarding AP programs. The following report indicates that Montana does not offer as many incentives as other states: http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbprofgroupall?Rep=APA. The district does not offer Pre-AP classes in K-8.
Narrative
Stevensville has trended below state and national averages of students scoring 3 or higher on AP tests since 2014, except for 2015 and 2017 when we exceeded both the state and national average. There has, however, generally been a trend towards increasing averages over the five-year period. Fluctuations in scores can be attributed to issues like class size, variations in students taking the exam, and preparation for educators teaching these higher level courses. The Stevensville school district calendar has often begun in the second week of September, with AP testing dates at the start of May. This is different than in many districts both in the state and nationwide, where school begins in mid to late August. This results in SHS students having fewer classroom contact hours to prepare prior to the exam. Stevensville now has an AP committee that meets regularly to address issues and problem solve for solutions to improving AP scores.
In 2014 the national average for students with 3 or higher on the AP test was 61.3. The state average score was 65.5. Stevensville students average score was 47.8. In 2015, the national average for students with 3 or higher on the AP test was 60.7. The state average score was 63. Stevensville students average score was 63.8. In 2016, the national average for students with 3 or higher on the AP test was 60.3. The state average score was 64.6. Stevensville students average score was 49.2. In 2017, the national average for students with 3 or higher on the AP test was 60.3. The state average score was 63. Stevensville students average score was 66. In 2018, the national average for students with 3 or higher on the AP test was 61.4. The state average score was 65.4. Stevensville students average score was 51.9.
