High school STEM alert: Advanced Placement exam success grows statewide with assistance from Mass Insight program

BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 25 — Massachusetts high schools participating in a program that supports students and teachers engaged in Advanced Placement coursework saw an 11 percent year-over-year increase in AP exam success in STEM subjects, according to data released by the College Board. Overall, students at 24 high schools participating in Mass Insight Education & Research’s (Mi) AP STEM and English core program earned 941 qualifying scores — a score of 3 or better (on a scale of 1-5) — in 2018 on 11 different STEM exams, including biology, chemistry, calculus and computer science. Students of color at Mi partner high schools saw a corresponding success in STEM AP exams, receiving a total of 108 qualifying scores this year, an increase of 17 percent
from 2017.

High schools that participate in Mi’s core program receive teacher training, administrative support and funding for Saturday study sessions. Mi’s AP STEM and English program reaches more than 10,000 students annually at partner schools across the Commonwealth with a mission of raising educational standards and expanding higher education opportunities. It is funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education along with support from districts, private
donors, and foundations.

The 2018 AP exam results reflect several positive trends:

• Qualifying scores in Chemistry increased by 114 percent;
• Qualifying scores in Computer Science Principals increased by 93 percent;
• Qualifying scores in Statistics increased by 34 percent

Advanced Placement courses offer entry-level college coursework to high school students to prepare them for success throughout their college experience. At the conclusion of the course, students are tested on their knowledge of the subject area and are given a score ranging from 1-5. Typically, scores of 3, 4, or 5 are awarded college credit, but simply enrolling in AP courses makes students more favorable to colleges looking for students with rigorous academic experience.

“STEM is the present and future of the Massachusetts economy, and we know how important it is to engage students early,” said Dr. Susan Lusi, president and CEO of Mi. “The results from our core program schools reflect the Commonwealth’s intense commitment to preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”