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LRSD reports AP gains, announces early‑college associate program with UALR
Summary
LRSD staff reported that 56% of students taking AP exams earned qualifying scores (3–5) in 2025, up from mid‑40s when current advanced‑academics staff began. The board was also told that an MOU with the University of Arkansas will allow some students to earn an associate degree at LRSD high schools starting next year.
Jennifer Thomas, LRSD’s coordinator for advanced academics, told the board the district’s AP and concurrent‑credit programs are showing gains and wider participation.
"When I first started in this role the data that we collected was at 45%...so I am proud that now we're at 56%," Thomas said, summarizing 2025 AP results. She said Central High produced the district’s highest qualifying rate at 74.7 percent while other campuses showed strong year‑over‑year growth. Thomas noted particular progress among Black students, reporting qualifying AP scores rising from 59 in 2021 to 190 in 2025.
Thomas described an emerging early‑college pathway under a recently signed memorandum of understanding with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas that will allow students at Little Rock Southwest to graduate with both a high‑school diploma and an associate degree beginning next school year. The program is intended to expand concurrent‑credit opportunities across high schools and is tied to teacher certification requirements for some concurrent‑credit courses.
Board members asked for continued attention to access and alignment so gains reach students across racial and socioeconomic groups. Administration said it will continue professional development for teachers, parent recruitment nights and data‑driven interventions to support AP and concurrent‑credit participation.
What’s next: District staff will continue to report AP and concurrent‑credit outcomes and the district said the early‑college program will begin at Little Rock Southwest with plans to expand.
