Hall of Mirrors
Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics: An Overview of Performance Trends and Current Research (304946)
*Candace Kirksey Jones, RTI InternationalKeywords: statistics, advanced placement, achievement, female, minority
The AP Statistics exam started 21 years ago and has been taken by more than 2 million students since 1997. In 2017, more than 9,000 schools in the US offered the exam. The goal of this presentation is to examine trends in AP Statistics exam participation and performance by gender and race, as well as to review the current literature on students who take the exam. Initial results indicate exponential growth in the AP Statistics exam since its inception, with more female than male test takers and lower scores among under-represented minority students. The College Board produces annual data summaries, however, there are very few reports and peer-reviewed publications that focus solely on AP Statistics students and specific gender or racial gaps in performance. Most of the AP Statistics-related information is framed within the context of STEM education and college outcomes. This presentation will also examine gaps in research related to AP Statistics courses, grades, and teacher preparation, as well as discuss future research directions.