Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Board of Education has announced that the state's Class of 2024 has set new records in Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance, according to data from the College Board. The findings underscore Illinois' dedication to college readiness and equitable access to advanced coursework.

Over the past decade, the percentage of Illinois graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam has risen by 6.7 percentage points, reaching 28.3% in 2024 compared to 21.6% in 2014. This surpasses the national average of 22.6%.

Governor JB Pritzker stated, "Over the years, we've seen that when we provide our students with the right opportunities, they rise to the occasion." He noted that targeted investments have expanded access to AP courses and reduced costs, leading to increased participation and higher scores among Illinois students. Pritzker emphasized Illinois' top-five ranking for participation among Black and Latino students as evidence of the state's commitment to diversity and community support.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders expressed pride in Illinois students' achievements: “Illinois students continue to rise to the challenge of college-level coursework in high school.” He highlighted that state investment in AP opportunities is enabling more students, especially those previously underrepresented, to earn college credit.

Illinois ranks highly in several AP success metrics: third for a decade-long increase in graduates scoring a 3 or higher; fifth for the percentage of the Class of 2024 achieving this score; fourth for Black/African American graduate participation; fifth for Hispanic/Latino graduate participation; third for Asian graduate participation; and fifth overall for graduates taking an AP exam during high school.

The growth in AP course participation spans all racial and ethnic groups, demonstrating Illinois’ focus on providing rigorous coursework access statewide.

To further support this initiative, Governor Pritzker's fiscal year 2025 budget includes $3 million dedicated to AP programs—$500,000 for expanding course offerings through grants and $2.5 million for reducing exam fees for low-income students.

Public Act 101-0654 mandates automatic enrollment into advanced coursework if students meet state standards on assessments. This policy began this school year and aims to enhance equity in accessing advanced learning opportunities.

In diverse subjects like STEM, humanities, world languages, and arts, Illinois students have excelled. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam qualifies them for free college credit at public colleges and universities within Illinois due to state law. In total, 57,089 graduates took an AP exam with 37,513 scoring a qualifying mark—a potential savings of $264 million for families across the state.

Research indicates that success in AP courses correlates with timely college graduation rates while reducing student debt and boosting lifetime earnings.

Further details about Illinois’ AP program can be found on the ISBE Advanced Placement webpage.