AP Program
Connecting students to college success
In today's information-based economy, a college education is a necessity, not a luxury. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, median annual earnings for college graduates are about 60 percent higher than those of workers who have only a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, the gap in earnings between the two groups can exceed $1 million.
A study from the U.S. Department of Education found that of the students who entered college in 1995:
- Only one-half (53 percent) had attained a bachelor's degree after six years.
- About one-fourth (23 percent) had not attained any degree and were no longer enrolled after six years.
As schools send the next generation of students off to college, they need to ask themselves—is the end goal of college admission enough? What can be done to provide your students with the tools they need to succeed in college?
AP can help
The AP Program is a collaboration between motivated students, dedicated teachers, and committed high schools, colleges, and universities. Since 1955, the AP Program has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and exams, and to earn college credit or placement while still in high school.
Learn more about the AP Program by following these links:
- The Nuts and Bolts of Offering AP Courses and Exams: Key steps in establishing your school's AP program
- Year 0: Planning and Preparing to Offer AP: What to think about before the first year
- Building Your AP Program: Assess your school's strengths and weaknesses, consider which courses to offer, and learn how to train AP teachers and identify AP students
- Achieving Equity: Dispelling misconceptions about which students should take AP