(NAPSI)—There’s good news for Hispanic high school students who want to pursue a goal of higher education.

There’s a resource that can aid their academic development and enhance their chance for success in college and beyond. In fact, many believe Advanced Placement (AP) courses can do that and more.

AP courses are designed so that students can learn to think critically, construct solid arguments and see many sides of an issue- skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

“In addition to the academic and economic benefits, AP courses can motivate students to have greater self-confidence and see themselves as successful college students and professionals,” says Steve Colón, executive director within the Advanced Placement Program.

The courses are offered in 34 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam. Taking them is often seen as a way to demonstrate to college admission officers that students have sought the most rigorous curriculum available to them.

A Strategy for Success

A recent report from the College Board—The 8^th Annual AP Report to the Nation—indicates that students who succeed on an AP Exam during high school typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than their peers.

Research also indicates that minority and low-income students who earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam are more likely than their peers to earn higher grades in college and a college degree within five years of beginning college.

The College Board believes this news has particular significance for Latino students, given that only 19.2 percent of Latinos ages 25−34 have completed an associate degree or higher.

A Way to Reduce Expenses

Advanced Placement courses are offered in over 14,000 high schools across the nation. Students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam may be eligible for college credit or advanced placement.

This has the potential to accelerate the graduation process and thus reduce or offset the cost of tuition. AP courses can also enhance a student’s scholarship opportunities.

A Step up in Science

There’s also evidence that students can benefit in a number of ways from AP courses in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines.

According to the College Board’s report, minority students who took AP math or science exams were much more likely than non-AP students to earn degrees in physical science, engineering or life science disciplines—fields leading to some of the careers essential for America’s future prosperity.

To learn more about AP courses, visit www.collegeboard.org/ap.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate(NAPSI)