Sen. Lawson and Rep. Amore highlight that Rhode Island leads the nation with largest improvement in Advanced Placement pass rates

State House – Sen. Valarie J. Lawson and Rep. Gregg Amore are pleased to highlight the recently announced fact that Rhode Island high school students lead the nation with the largest improvement in Advanced Placement (AP) course pass rates.

AP courses are college-level classes that students can take in high school. Students who earn a three or higher (out of five possible points) on the AP test earn college credits at most colleges.

“This is incredible news for our state and I commend our students and teachers for taking advantage of the numerous educational benefits that AP courses provide to our students. Our students have overcome so much hardship and adversity during the pandemic and they deserve to be recognized for this impressive achievement,” said Senator Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

“As someone who has taught AP courses, I am a firm believer in their abilities to engage our students and push them past their comfort zones in their educational careers. These courses prepare our students for their future and to see such growth in not only participation, but also accomplishment, bodes well for the future of our state,” said Representative Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).

The national results were announced in a College Board report on the 2020 AP exam results this month. Rhode Island had the largest improvement in AP pass rates of any state over the past 10 years, past 5 years, and past year. 25.2 percent of Rhode Island’s graduating class of 2020 passed at least one AP exam, more than doubling the state’s 10.8 percent pass rate from 2010. This 10-year growth of 14.4 percentage points is nearly double the national average growth of 8.2 percentage points.

Senator Lawson and Representative Amore are also pointing to legislation (2021-S 0209 / 2021-H 5350) they have introduced in the wake of this exciting educational news. The legislation would change the definition of advance placement to mean a college level class taught at the high school level that provides students the opportunity to earn college credit upon passage of an exam. The bill also expands the reach of access to advanced placement courses to ensure that the opportunity to participate in the advanced placement program and gain college credit is available to the greatest amount of students.

“As we are witnessing the positive results of our students embracing AP course work, we must continue this momentum and growth so that many others have the ability to access and utilize these important educational courses. Our legislation will ensure AP courses continue to be an integral part of our educational system which will allow their benefits to be accessed by all who wish to do so, culminating in a more engaged student body who have the opportunity of earning money-saving college course credits,” said Senator Lawson and Representative Amore.
Senator Lawson’s bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and Representative Amore’s bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.