Bellevue reports stronger AP participation and qualifying scores; 431 students took 700 exams

Bellevue Public Schools officials reported higher Advanced Placement participation and the largest share of students earning qualifying scores in several years during a board meeting presentation.

Fran McCorskin, the district’s director of assessment and accreditation, told the board that 431 unique students in the district took a total of 700 AP exams in May and that 338 of those students — 78% — earned at least one qualifying score, defined by the College Board as a 3, 4 or 5. “That’s 78% of the students that participated,” McCorskin said, and she added the result is the largest proportion of qualifying scores the district has on record.

Why it matters: AP participation and scores can affect students’ postsecondary readiness and college credit accrual. McCorskin said AP courses are rigorous, the College Board sets the syllabi, and exams are administered nationally in a two‑week window.

McCorskin provided program details and context. She said three exams had the largest participation numbers: English literature and composition (88 testers), English language and composition (116) and world history (128). She also explained how AP interacts with the district’s dual‑enrollment programs: the district offers about 20 AP courses consistently and students also complete dual‑enrollment classes; last year, she said, students completed about 2,100 dual‑enrollment class enrollments.

On costs, McCorskin said the AP exam fee is $99 for students; she noted that some partners or colleges cover exam costs and that dual‑enrollment fees vary by provider. “The cost of the exam is a cost to students and it's $99,” she said. McCorskin added that dual‑enrollment courses taken through Metro were covered this year, while dual enrollment through UNO carried a $250 charge but that UNO often covers the AP exam fee.

McCorskin also described College Board changes: this year some assessments shifted to hybrid or fully online administration, which the district believes may have helped students who prefer typing essays. She said national score trends did not generally increase across the board but that a few subject areas rose nationally; Bellevue’s gains exceed national movement in several areas.

Questions from the board touched on program expansion, including world languages and how dual enrollment and AP credits interact. McCorskin said the district offers 20 of College Board’s 38 AP courses and that teachers with appropriate credentials can offer dual‑enrollment sections; students can be both dually enrolled and sit for an AP exam, and credit ultimately depends on the receiving college.

Ending: Board members praised students and staff; presenters encouraged continued enrollment in AP and dual‑enrollment options to help students earn college credits while in high school.