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Huntsville School District reports higher AP pass rates and growth in concurrent-credit use
Summary
At the Sept. 2 Huntsville School District board meeting, staff reported an 18.5% drop in AP enrollment but a nearly 28% increase in the share of AP exam scores of 3 or higher; concurrent-credit enrollments and college-credit hours earned rose, producing an estimated $72,000 in tuition savings.
HUNTSVILLE, Ark. — At its Sept. 2 meeting, the Huntsville School District heard an academic report showing fewer students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes this past year but a notable rise in test results and concurrent-credit participation.
District staff reported AP enrollment fell about 18.5% while the number of AP exams taken decreased 16.25%. Despite that, the share of AP exam scores of 3 or higher — the score commonly used to earn college credit — rose by nearly 28%, the presenter said.
The report said concurrent-credit offerings are increasing and likely account for part of the AP enrollment decline. The district recorded 42 enrollments in concurrent-credit courses at Saint Paul and 160 enrollments at Huntsville High School last year. Staff estimated students earned well over 600 college credit hours across those programs.
"So that's a — that's almost 28% increase in the number of scores that qualify for college credit," the presenter said, noting the rise in college-credit-qualifying AP scores.
Board members were told the estimated tuition value of those concurrent credits is substantial. Using an hourly NorthArk tuition rate cited in the presentation of about $119 per credit hour, the district staff calculated roughly $72,000 in tuition that students did not need to pay because they earned college credit while in high school.
The report also noted a state policy change this year that gives concurrent-credit classes the same weighted grade treatment as AP classes, potentially increasing GPA and scholarship prospects and encouraging more students to enroll in concurrent offerings.
Board members asked questions about how concurrent credit interacts with students’ intended majors; district staff and a Huntsville High teacher who assisted with the report said students and families should consider future college plans when choosing AP versus concurrent credit.
Speakers listed in the meeting materials who contributed to the report included Bruce Dunlap (Saint Paul) and Liz Watkins (Huntsville High), and the presentation was delivered by district academic staff on behalf of the district.
The board did not take a formal vote on the academic report; staff said the information will inform future course offerings and counseling.
The district plans to monitor concurrent-credit enrollment this fall and update the board when fall enrollment and early-term data become available.
