Maryland education gained its second number one national ranking in as many months today as the College Board released its annual report on the rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) program.

The percentage of Maryland seniors who earned a score of 3 or higher on one or more AP exams reached 23.4 percent in 2008, the highest percentage in the nation. Maryland slipped past New York for the first time to take the top spot in the College Board’s “Annual AP Report to the Nation.” A score of 3 or better is considered “college mastery level” on the AP exams, and many higher education institutions award college credit for high school students scoring in that range.

Maryland also ranked first in the nation in the percentage of graduating seniors who had taken an AP exam. More than a third of all seniors last year—37.2 percent—had taken at least one AP test.

“We’re proud to announce today that Maryland has a new number one ranking, just weeks after another publication ranked Maryland’s public schools the best in the nation,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “It’s an extraordinary distinction and one that doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who is familiar with the dedication and professionalism of Maryland’s educators who have made our system the best in the America.”

Today’s announcement follows last month’s news that Maryland schools ranked first in the nation by Education Week’s “Quality Counts” report. That report looked at a variety of policy and performance measures, including last year’s AP data.

College Board President Gaston Caperton hailed the State’s work on AP. “Leading the nation in this regard represents a significant achievement for Maryland schools and their students,” he said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Grasmick, the Advanced Placement program has grown throughout Maryland, and students are entering college better prepared to be successful.”

MSDE has worked in close partnership with the College Board to strengthen the AP program, particularly in parts of the State that have not historically been involved. The results have paid off, as 13 of Maryland’s 24 systems have a 30 percent or greater participation rate among seniors in the program.

“Maryland students can achieve great things no matter where their high school is located,” said State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick. “More of our schools are
providing students with rigorous options, such as AP, to better prepare them for what lies ahead.”

“Advanced Placement Report to the Nation: 2009,” the College Board’s fifth annual analysis of the college-level assessment program, gives many high marks to efforts taking place in Maryland schools. For example:

• From 2003 to 2008, Maryland had the third largest growth in the nation in the percentage of seniors scoring 3 or higher, jumping from 17.7 percent to 23.4 percent.
• Maryland is one of 18 states recognized for having eliminated the equity and excellence gap in AP achievement for the Hispanic and Latino population. While Hispanics were 6.1 percent of the Maryland population last year, 6.9 percent of the seniors who scored 3 or higher on the AP exam were Hispanic.
• No state in the nation has been able to overcome the gap for African American students, but 9 percent of students receiving a grade of 3 or better in Maryland were African American. That is the third-highest percentage among states in the nation. Only 6.4 percent of the Maryland students scoring in the college-mastery range were African American in 2002.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, which began in 1955, allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Students of different interests and backgrounds can choose from among 35 courses and exams in 19 subject areas to demonstrate their knowledge of rigorous academic curriculum.

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