Schools’
performance on 2007 Advanced Placement exams released by the State
Department of Education show 17 percent more Horry County Schools’
students participated in AP courses and took AP exams than in 2006.
Districtwide, 740 students participated in AP courses, an increase of
112 over the 628 who participated last year. These students took a
total of 1,044 exams, an increase of 153 from 891 exams taken in 2006.
The
district’s percentage of students scoring between 3-5 on AP exams
decreased to 53.4 percent, down 1.6 percentage points from 55 percent
last year. Generally, scores greater than 3 allow students to receive
college credit for an AP course taken in high school.
Since
1984, South Carolina has paid for AP instructional materials, paid
students’ test fees and offered specialized training for teachers.
Every student enrolled in an AP course is required to take the test.
The five most-taken AP exams in 2007 were the same five as the previous
year: United States History, English Literature and Composition,
English Language and Composition, Calculus, and Biology.
The
State Department of Education also released data on the South Carolina
high schools that are part of the International Baccalaureate, a
Geneva, Switzerland-based diploma program that offers students
intensive academic preparation. South Carolina’s participating schools
are among nearly 2,000 IB schools in 124 countries around the world.
Aynor High School and Socastee High School both offer IB programs.
At
Aynor High School, 32 students participated in IB courses and took 51
IB exams. Of the 51 tests, 32, or 63 percent, received a score of 4 or
higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very good, or excellent
performance. At Socastee High School, 61 students participated in IB
courses and took 120 IB exams. Of the 120 tests, 98, or 82 percent,
received a score of 4 or higher, equal to satisfactory, good, very
good, or excellent performance. Aynor High School had five students
attempt an IB diploma, but results were not reported due to the small
number of students attempting the diploma. Socastee High School had 10
students attempt an IB diploma and seven, or 70 percent, earned
diplomas.
Below are individual AP
results from nine district high schools and two academies. Results
indicate the school, number of participating students, number of exams
taken and the passage rate of students earning a score of 3 or higher:
- Aynor High School; 32 students, 46 AP exams, 57% scored 3 or higher;
- Carolina Forest High School; 96 students, 127 AP exams, 74% scored 3 or higher;
- Conway High School; 90 students, 99 AP exams, 29% scored 3 or higher;
- Green
Sea Floyds High School; 6 students, 6 AP exams; scores are not reported
for this school due to the few number of exams taken;
- Loris High School; 72 students, 94 AP exams, 13% scored 3 or higher;
- Myrtle Beach High School; 65 students, 105 AP exams, 77% scored 3 or higher;
- North Myrtle Beach High School; 79 students, 133 AP exams, 51% scored 3 or higher;
- Socastee High School; 99 students, 175 AP exams, 63% scored 3 or higher;
- St. James High School; 97 students, 148 AP exams, 48% scored 3 or higher;
- Academy for Arts, Science and Technology; 76 students, 117 AP exams, 56% scored 3 or higher; and
- Academy
for Technology and Academics; 28 students, 28 AP exams; scores are not
reported for this school due to the few number of exams taken.