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Advanced Placement Enrollment
The percentage of students enrolled in public and charter schools in the City of St. Louis that take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses (AP/IB)
White students are twice as likely as black students to be enrolled in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes.
A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.
For Advanced Placement Enrollment, a score of 100 — a score reflecting racial equity — would mean black and white students are equally likely to be enrolled in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal: we also want to improve outcomes for all.
More Information
What does this indicator measure?
Advanced Placement Enrollment measures the percentage of students enrolled in public and charter schools in the City of St. Louis that take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses (AP/IB). In 2015, there were 14 high schools (74% of all high schools) that offered AP/IB courses. There were 6,687 “eligible” students, or students enrolled in schools where these courses were available. Of these students, 1,148 took AP/IB coursework that year.
Advanced placement enrollment analysis
Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses at schools where offered in St. Louis City.
| All | White | Black | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students enrolled in AP classes | 1,148 | 280 | 724 | - | - |
| Student population of schools that offer AP classes | 6,687 | 952 | 5,186 | - | - |
| Percent of students enrolled in AP classes at schools where offered | 17.2% | 29.4% | 14.0% | 2.107 to 1 | 40 |
Data Source: Civil Rights Data Collection, 2015.
What does this analysis mean?
White students are more than twice as likely as black students to be enrolled in AP/IB courses. Asian students are the most likely to be enrolled (31.7%), followed by white students (29.4%). Black students are the least likely to be enrolled (14.0%), followed by Hispanic students (21.9%). If access were equitable, 801 more black students would be enrolled in AP/IB courses.
Why does AP Enrollment matter?
Advanced coursework can engage students in more challenging curriculum, prepare students for success in higher education, and interest them in rewarding careers, particularly in STEM. The most successful students in AP courses (those that score above a 3 on a 5 point scale) can earn college credits. Students who enter college with six or more credits are more likely to earn a degree.
Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission report are linked with this indicator?
One of the Ferguson Commission’s priority areas is providing rigorous primary and secondary education. To achieve that goal, the Commission’s call to action was to:
Questions for further investigation
- Why is there a racial disparity in Advanced Placement Enrollment?
- What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Advanced Placement Enrollment?
- What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Advanced Placement Enrollment?
How can I learn more?
According to 2014 research by the U.S. Department of Education, racial disparities in advanced placement enrollment are widespread across the country.
