Three North Shore public school districts are among 367 nationwide to be recognized by the College Board for getting more students to take Advanced Placement courses while still keeping AP test scores high.
The Beverly, Marblehead and Masconomet districts were all named to the second annual AP Honor Roll issued this week by the College Board, a not-for-profit organization that runs the AP program, which enables high school students to take college-level courses.
The honor roll is made up of districts that simultaneously get more students to take AP courses and improve or maintain test scores.
According to the College Board, Beverly has increased the number of students taking AP courses from 125 to 179 since 2009 while maintaining the percentage of students earning AP test scores of 3 or higher at 72 percent. That's down from 78 percent in 2009, but the College Board says a decline in scores can be expected if a program attracts a broader cross-section of students.
Districts that increase participation but still have more than 70 percent of AP students scoring a 3 or higher qualify for the honor roll. Most colleges in the United States give college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above, according to the College Board.
"The AP Honor Roll districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve AP exam scores," College Board President Gaston Caperton said in a press release.
Beverly, Marblehead and Masconomet are among 30 public school districts in Massachusetts to make the honor roll. Pennsylvania led all states with 34 honor roll districts, followed by Massachusetts and New York with 30 each.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by email at pleighton@salemnews.com.
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
