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Abilene ISD reports gains in AP participation and performance; overall AP enrollments dip slightly
Summary
Executive director Lindsay Williamson reported that Abilene ISD offers about 22 AP courses, saw modest declines in student enrollment in AP courses this year but notable gains in AP biology and AP Language pass rates; about 26% of last year's graduates scored 3 or higher on at least one AP exam.
Lindsay Williamson, executive director for secondary education, presented Abilene ISD's Advanced Placement program data, describing course offerings, enrollment trends and student outcomes.
Williamson said the district typically offers 22 AP courses across its three high schools. She reported 733 students enrolled in at least one AP course this year (down from 784 last year) and a total of about 1,606 AP course enrollments. Williamson noted that 26.1% of the district's 2024 graduating class scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam.
The presentation highlighted improvements in specific areas: AP biology enrollment roughly doubled from 2023–24 to 2024–25, and the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher in AP biology increased about 20 percentage points. AP Language (English 3) pass rates rose from about 30.8% to 66.4% in the most recent reporting period. Williamson said those gains reflect coordinated efforts including AP Summer Institutes and targeted professional development for teachers, and the district's open-enrollment approach to AP courses.
Trustees asked whether declines in AP enrollment were related to overall district enrollment trends or the availability of dual-credit options; Williamson said both factors likely play a role and described ongoing efforts to preserve equitable access to advanced coursework. The district also uses PSAT data and targeted boot camps to identify and support students entering AP pathways.
Williamson concluded by saying priorities include maintaining complementary AP and dual-credit pathways, removing barriers to participation, and continuing teacher preparation and student supports.
