National Guidelines
The Advanced Placement Program has three main components:
To develop high standards for student achievement,
To link instruction and assessment, and
To provide a continuing professional development.
The AP program offers a curriculum evaluating skills at a standard comparable to introductory college courses. Because of students' participation in this program, they are
- better prepared academically.
- more likely to specialize in stringent majors.
- more likely to complete more college course work in 4 years.
- significantly better performers than [peers] who did not take AP courses.
- more likely to exercise leadership.
- more likely to graduate with a double major.
- twice as likely to go into advanced study (Ph.D programs, medicine, and law).
The Advanced Placement Program continues to grow nationally because of the dedication of students, who are interested in pursuing college-level studies; teachers, who are willing to offer the opportunity; and college faculty, who recognize such achievements.