For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 7, 2022

Illinois Class of 2021 ranks third in the nation in AP Exam success

​ISBE awards up to $1.5 million to 10 districts to expand access to AP classes

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced that Illinois' Class of 2021 ranked third in the nation and topped all Midwestern states for the largest 10-year increase in the percentage of public high school graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam during high school.

Illinois Public Schools - AP Participation by District: Class of 2021 - Map Percentage of 12th-graders who took an AP Exam in high school. Red = less than 1%. Orange = 1-9%. Yellow = 10-19%. Light Green = 20-229%. Green = 30% or greater. Light gray = No 12th-grade enrollment data. Dark gray = School district not defined.

While 26.9% of the Class of 2021 scored a 3 or higher on an AP Exam during high school -- giving them college credit at any public college or university in Illinois -- not all students in the state have access to AP opportunities. Two-thirds of school districts in Illinois did not enroll any students in AP courses last year.

The AP Course Implementation Grant aims to change that by giving school districts extra resources to expand access to AP courses. Research by The College Board shows that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely to save money on college tuition costs and complete a degree on time.

“Illinois students have proven they're the best in the Midwest when it comes to growing their AP Exam performance, and we owe it to them to ensure they have every opportunity to do more," said Governor JB Pritzker. “My administration is providing funding to districts in need to help them bring more AP courses to the students they serve. From Chicago Public Schools to East St. Louis to Bunker Hill, we're working toward a future where every Illinois student has the opportunity to earn college credit if they choose."

"Illinois continues to lead the nation in expanding access to AP, which means more and more Illinois students are earning college credit while in high school, giving them a head start toward a degree," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “Gov. Pritzker has invested in AP, and these investments are increasing equity across the state. We still have more work to do, especially in supporting AP in our rural communities and among our African American and Hispanic students. ISBE's AP Course Implementation Grants will continue to close gaps in access to AP so every student graduates college and career ready."

ISBE awarded the AP Course Implementation Grant to 10 school districts, which can use the funds to train teachers and administrators to provide AP courses and to expand the district's AP course offerings and enrollment. Each grant recipient will receive $50,000 for the first year and may renew the grant for two additional years, pending appropriations and the grantee meeting project goals, for a total of $150,000 per grantee across three years.

ISBE awarded AP Course Implementation Grant grants to:

  • Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8
  • Chicago Public Schools District 299
  • East St. Louis School District 189
  • Harvard Community Unit School District 50
  • Joliet Township High School District 204
  • Kankakee School District 111
  • Paris Union School District 95
  • Rich Township High School District 227
  • Valley View Community Unit School District 365U
  • Woodstock Community Unit School District 200

ISBE will issue the next call for applications for the AP Course Implementation Grant in fiscal year 2025. For more information about AP courses, visit the ISBE website.

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