West Hartford Public School District
Agenda Item:
High School Advanced Placement (AP) Test Score Results
Meeting Date:
October 6, 2015
From:
Nancy DePalma, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and
Assessment
Paul Vicinus, Director of Secondary Education
Through:
Tom Moore, Superintendent
Background:
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a global academic program, currently offered in
more than 100 countries around the world. Taking AP courses and exams provides students
with a recognized academic credential. Nearly 4000 colleges and universities within the US
and more than 600 universities in more than 60 countries outside of the United States
recognize AP Exam scores for admission, credit and placement. The AP program gives
students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. The
courses are very challenging and provide the student an opportunity to learn a subject in
depth, to develop analytical reasoning skills, and to form disciplined study habits that
contribute to continued success in college. Benefits of participation in the advanced
placement program go beyond credit award and potential advanced standing. Many college
and universities acknowledge that AP participation serves to provide evidence of a student’s
academic curiosity, drive, perseverance, and college readiness
This report presents a detailed analysis of the results of West Hartford’s high schools on the
Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2014-15 school year.
Advanced Placement (AP) Scores:
The attached tables summarize the results of the 2015 administration of AP exams. Each
exam is scored on a 5-point scale, where a 5 represents the highest score possible and 1 is
the lowest. Each individual college decides which AP exam grades they will accept for
advanced placement and/or credit in which subject area; many accept 3 or above and most
accept a score of 4 or 5.
Agenda Item:
VI.B.1
2015 was another record breaking year for the AP Program in WHPS – we had a total of
1,137 students take 2,285 AP exams. That is an increase of 78 students and 270 exams from
2014 and breaking all previous record levels. The participation rate, which is the total
number of exam takers divided by the grade 11 and 12 enrollment, averaged 79.5% for the
district, which was the highest it has ever been. In total, AP exams were taken in 26
different subjects (spanning 31 of the 38 AP exam offerings). The College Board’s AP
Equity and Excellence measure for the district was 52.6%. This measure is the percentage
of the graduating class who earned a 3 on one or more AP exams.
Overall exam participation based on student course enrollment was a strength at both
schools averaging 91% for the district. Conard posted very strong overall exam
participation with 97.4% of students enrolled in an AP course taking the exam and eleven
courses posting 100% exam participation. Notably, AP Seminar, the newest AP course had
100% student participation across both high schools. AP English Language and
Composition, AP Psychology, and AP Biology stand out as courses with approximately 200
or more students, over 90% exam participation, and an average exam score of 3.0 or greater
(average scores of 3.4, 3.0, and 3.3 respectively).
Course Specific Exam Participation
Conard
Course Name
Participation
Rate
Hall
Course
Enrollment
Participation
Rate
District
Course
Enrollment
Participation
Rate
Course
Enrollment
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Chinese Lang & Culture
AP Computer Science A
AP Economics
AP English: Lang & Comp
AP English: Lit & Comp
AP Environmental Science
AP French Lang & Culture
AP Modern European History
AP Physics I
AP Physics I and II
AP Psychology
AP Seminar
AP Spanish Lang & Culture
AP Spanish Lit & Culture
AP Statistics
AP Studio Art
AP US Govt & Politics
AP US History
99.21%
96.61%
92.59%
96.67%
68.75%
89.19%
100.00%
98.44%
100.00%
97.67%
100.00%
100.00%
98.18%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
96.46%
94.85%
127
59
27
60
16
37
34
192
73
86
27
25
55
14
81
30
37
7
21
9
113
97
96.72%
95.31%
96.55%
96.97%
78.95%
60.53%
78.46%
97.50%
90.24%
90.00%
83.33%
90.00%
77.78%
NA
87.83%
100.00%
90.70%
NA
35.71%
72.22%
98.85%
95.06%
61
64
29
66
19
38
65
80
41
40
36
20
54
0
189
18
43
0
70
18
87
81
98.40%
95.93%
94.64%
96.03%
71.43%
74.67%
85.86%
98.16%
96.49%
95.24%
90.48%
95.56%
88.07%
100.00%
91.48%
100.00%
95.00%
100.00%
50.55%
81.48%
97.50%
94.94%
188
123
56
126
35
75
99
272
114
126
63
45
109
14
270
48
80
7
91
27
200
178
Grand Total
97.39%
1227
84.27%
1119
91.13%
2346
Conard Results:
 607 students took 1,255 exams. Average score was 3.07 and 70%
received a 3 or higher
 Number of exam takers increased by 6.5% above last year and 4.3%
above the previous record; the participation rate increased to 83.7% influenced by a large number of 10th graders taking AP Biology
 Number of exams increased by 167; 15.3% above last year and 5.6%
above the previous record
 Most popular exam – English Language and Composition – 190
students, mostly juniors, took the exam, 72% received a 3 or higher
 52.9% of the class of 2015 earned a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam
(AP Equity and Excellence) according to the College Board’s data set
Hall Results:





530 students took 1030 exams. Average score was 3.35 and 76% received
a 3 or higher
Number of exam takers increased 8.3% and participation increased to
75.1% - the highest ever
Number of exams increased by 17.4%
Most popular exam – Psychology – 168 students took exam, 58%
received a 3 or higher
53.2% of the class of 2015 earned a 3 or higher on at least one exam (AP
Equity and Excellence) according to the College Board’s data set.
A final note about average scores and percent of students earning a 3 or higher - this is the
one area of test reporting where higher is not always better. It is easy to get high average
scores on the AP exam – just limit the test takers to students who will score a 5. But
enrollment in AP courses should be based be on much more than just getting a 5 on the
exam. Many students, who will not get 5’s or 4’s or even 3’s on the exam can benefit from
the challenging curriculum and content provided by these courses.
2015 AP Exam Results
Conard
Exam
Seminar
Art (All)
English Language
English Literature
Chinese Language
French Language
Spanish Language
Spanish Lit
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Statistics
Comp Sci A
Biology
Chemistry
Physics I
Physics II
Environ. Science
Econ. – Micro
Econ. – Macro
European History
US Govt & Politics
US History
Psychology
Other exams taken
Totals
Number of
Tests
30
9
190
73
14
27
37
7
57
26
21
34
126
58
68
14
84
34
34
25
109
92
82
Hall
% 3 or
higher
87%
89%
72%
81%
64%
68%
100%
100%
67%
92%
52%
59%
83%
81%
60%
86%
32%
77%
71%
72%
53%
55%
79%
Physics C (2)
1255
Number of
Tests
18
13
78
37
17
30
40
0
60
31
25
23
59
64
25
0
37
37
51
18
86
77
168
% 3 or
higher
94%
69%
95%
84%
59%
100%
100%
NA
77%
97%
57%
74%
95%
91%
72%
NA
60%
82%
77%
83%
67%
52%
58%
Latin (1), Japanese (1), Italian (1),
Physics C (22), Music Theory (4)
70%
1030
76%
AP Scholars
The College Board as part of its AP program recognizes students for excellence in both
participation and scores on the students’ AP exams. Students were recognized at Conard
and Hall based on their cumulative results through the 2015 AP examinations.
Level
AP Scholar – Students who have earned a 3 or higher on 3 AP exams
AP Scholar with Honor – Students who have earned a 3 or higher on 5 AP
exams and an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken
AP Scholar with Distinction – Students who have earned a 3 or higher on
5 AP exams and an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken
State AP Scholar – granted to 1 male and 1 female per state who have
earned a 3 or higher on greatest number of exams with the highest avg score
National AP Scholar– Students who have earned a 4 or higher on 8 AP
exams and an average of at least 4.0 on all AP exams taken
Conard
Hall
88
65
45
35
64
66
1
0
12
9
Performance on the Board Performance Indicator:
The Board Performance Indicator states that 70% of high school graduates who enter high
school as 9th graders will successfully complete at least 1 Advanced Placement course
during high school. The table below shows the calculation of the AP statistic for the Classes
of 2005 through 2015 at Conard and Hall. In this calculation we look at graduating seniors
who were enrolled in West Hartford Public Schools at the start of their 9th grade year and
count how many successfully completed 1 or more AP courses during their years in West
Hartford Public Schools. Successfully completed was defined as earning a C or higher in the
AP course. At Conard we saw a 68% of the Class of 2015 successfully complete an AP
course. At Hall, the strong performance continues with 80% of 2015 graduates successfully
completing one or more AP courses. We have met this Board performance indicator eight
straight years at both high schools (it was 60% for class of 2011 and earlier).
School
Conard
Year
Class of 2005
Class of 2006
Class of 2007
Class of 2008
Class of 2009
Class of 2010
Class of 2011
Class of 2012
Class of 2013
Class of 2014
Class of 2015
Grads who
entered as 9th
graders
281
276
318
283
273
315
338
300
355
303
295
Number of grads who
successfully completed
1 or more AP courses Percent
146
52%
163
59%
226
71%
182
64%
194
71%
226
72%
241
71%
209
70%
290
82%
211
70%
200
68%
School
Hall
Year
Class of 2005
Class of 2006
Class of 2007
Class of 2008
Class of 2009
Class of 2010
Class of 2011
Class of 2012
Class of 2013
Class of 2014
Class of 2015
Grads who
entered as 9th
graders
319
317
353
323
354
340
341
353
332
338
315
Number of grads who
successfully completed
1 or more AP courses Percent
190
60%
198
62%
249
71%
212
66%
250
71%
232
68%
252
74%
257
73%
239
72%
246
73%
252
80%
Looking at the population of students who took at least one AP exam, the average number
of exams taken was approximately 3.5 indicating that the average student choosing to take
any AP course, took one AP course per year. In reality, we observe that 43% of all Conard
students and 51% of Hall students take 3 or more AP courses.
The tables that follow provide a historical summary of AP performance and statistics.
Dr. DePalma and Mr. Vicinus will be available to answer questions.
Number of AP Exams taken by Subject Area
Art (Drawing/General)
Biology
Calculus - AB
Calculus - BC
Chemistry
Chinese Language
Computer Science A
Economics - Macro
Economics - Micro
English Language
English Lit. & Comp.
Environmental Science
European History
French Language
Physics B
Physics I
Physics II
Psychology
Seminar
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics
US Gov & Politics
U.S. History
Other
Total
61
61
256
191
95
85
37
50
2013
26
112
127
43
79
1
34
76
76
198
174
144
75
61
54
2014
17
188
115
61
91
5
32
60
60
147
106
130
75
36
64
322
275
276
262
88
15
79
79
17
69
204
20
1762
171
14
1992
102
14
48
115
207
14
1983
92
16
59
125
155
12
2015
91
18
57
197
146
10
1968
2006
13
189
60
34
85
2007
7
115
78
27
74
2008
6
110
98
27
68
2009
21
130
93
34
70
2010
40
96
116
25
84
2011
28
131
123
34
82
2012
32
104
107
43
81
5
30
30
205
116
64
34
48
47
45
201
101
35
72
49
40
53
53
210
155
36
80
40
54
70
52
244
144
47
56
37
48
65
77
221
182
62
47
43
51
85
85
203
192
88
156
39
74
151
202
162
190
247
79
7
42
81
16
55
97
8
41
106
25
56
171
19
1377
161
31
1437
196
20
1514
188
27
1638
2015
22
185
117
57
122
31
57
71
71
268
110
121
43
57
NA
93
14
250
48
77
7
46
195
169
31
2262
AP Exam Scores - Historical Summary
Conard High School
Year
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Subjects
11
11
11
14
17
17
19
20
22
21
21
21
26
23
22
23
23
22
23
21
26
Exams
249
203
198
257
381
434
544
587
575
521
663
776
778
887
961
978
1104
1112
1188
1091
1255
Avg Score
3.07
3.14
3.44
3.04
3.31
3.24
3.08
3.13
3.21
3.36
3.23
3.24
3.25
3.09
3.21
3.26
3.11
3.23
3.15
3.20
3.07
Percent
3 or higher
64%
71%
80%
66%
76%
74%
67%
72%
74%
75%
71%
71%
74%
68%
71%
73%
69%
73%
70%
72%
70%
Candidates
186
146
153
181
238
257
320
322
333
314
384
417
407
433
482
512
547
570
582
570
607
11-12
Enrollment
503
532
571
619
601
633
681
710
669
627
646
678
697
652
681
747
726
727
756
688
725
Participation
Rate
37.0%
27.4%
26.8%
29.2%
39.6%
40.6%
47.0%
45.4%
49.8%
50.1%
59.4%
61.5%
58.4%
66.4%
70.8%
68.5%
75.3%
78.4%
77.0%
82.8%
83.7
State
Rank
2nd
6th
4th
6th
2nd
3rd
2nd
2nd
2nd
3rd
1st
1st
1st
Exams
363
396
425
406
498
507
536
569
472
546
566
601
668
627
677
784
888
871
827
877
1030
Avg Score
3.64
3.48
3.68
3.69
3.66
3.62
3.60
3.77
3.82
3.95
3.75
3.84
3.81
3.82
3.88
3.43
3.38
3.55
3.52
3.32
3.35
Percent
3 or higher
84%
81%
88%
85%
84%
83%
84%
89%
88%
92%
86%
89%
88%
87%
87%
76%
74%
78%
79%
72%
76%
Candidates
209
227
232
234
270
305
294
300
271
325
337
358
379
343
371
397
457
444
453
489
530
11-12
Enrollment
486
553
563
604
583
596
678
691
718
739
731
745
769
754
763
781
779
770
742
740
706
Participation
Rate
43.0%
41.0%
41.2%
38.7%
46.3%
51.2%
43.4%
43.4%
37.7%
44.0%
46.1%
48.1%
49.3%
45.5%
48.6%
50.8%
58.7%
57.7%
61.1%
66.1%
75.1%
State
Rank
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
4th
3rd
9th
4th
4th
4th
7th
1st
1st
2nd
1st
1st
1st
2nd
AP Equity &
Excellence
38.4%
49.4%
47.8%
50.6%
52.7%
58.7%
57.5%
54.5%
63.9%
57.1%
51.9%
Hall High School
Year
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Subjects
18
14
15
18
19
18
23
22
18
18
22
21
23
20
22
23
23
25
25
25
28
6th
9th
5th
6th
8th
3rd
3rd
AP Equity &
Excellence
46.3%
47.9%
54.0%
44.7%
50.4%
52.4%
46.6%
51.2%
53.1%
48.8%
53.2%
AP Exam Scores - Historical Summary
West Hartford Public Schools
Year
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Subjects
18
14
15
18
19
18
24
24
22
22
22
22
29
25
26
27
25
27
26
25
31
Exams
612
599
623
663
879
941
1080
1156
1047
1067
1229
1377
1446
1514
1638
1762
1992
1983
2015
1968
2285
Avg Score
3.41
3.36
3.60
3.44
3.51
3.44
3.34
3.44
3.49
3.66
3.47
3.50
3.51
3.39
3.49
3.33
3.23
3.37
3.30
3.25
3.20
Percent
3 or
higher
76%
78%
85%
78%
81%
79%
75%
80%
80%
84%
78%
79%
80%
76%
78%
75%
71%
75%
74%
72%
72%
Candidates
395
373
385
415
508
562
614
622
604
639
721
775
786
776
853
909
1004
1014
1035
1059
1137
11-12
Enrollment
989
1085
1134
1223
1184
1229
1359
1401
1387
1366
1377
1423
1466
1406
1444
1528
1505
1497
1498
1428
1431
Participation
Rate
39.9%
34.4%
34.0%
33.9%
42.9%
45.7%
45.2%
44.4%
43.5%
46.8%
52.4%
54.5%
53.6%
55.2%
59.1%
59.5%
66.7%
67.7%
69.1%
74.2%
79.5
State
Rank
1st
2nd
1st
3rd
1st
1st
1st
2nd
5th
3rd
2nd
1st
2nd
4th
4th
2nd
1st
3rd
1st
1st
AP Equity &
Excellence
42.4%
48.7%
50.9%
47.7%
51.6%
55.6%
52.1%
52.9%
59.1%
52.8%
52.6%