Illinois 2024 Advanced Placement students set records

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois’ Class of 2024 has set new records in Advanced Placement (AP) performance and participation.

The information comes from a report put out by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The percentage of state graduates scoring a three or higher on an AP exam has increased by 6.7% over the last decade, rising from 21.6% in 2014 to 28.3% in 2024. This mark is also almost 6% higher than the 22.6% national average.

“Over the years, we’ve seen that when we provide our students with the right opportunities, they rise to the occasion,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to our targeted investments in expanding access to Advanced Placement courses and reducing costs, participation has grown across the board, and Illinois students are excelling on their AP exams — outpacing the national average.”

In addition to the previously mentioned increase, Illinois ranks among the top five states in multiple AP success metrics, including:

• Third in the country for the 10-year increase in the percentage of graduates scoring a three or higher on AP exam during high school
• Fifth for the percentage of the Class of 2024 scoring a three or higher on an AP exam during high school, up from sixth place this past year
• Fourth for the percentage of Black/African American graduates taking an AP exam during high school, up from 11th place last year
• Fifth for the percentage of Hispanic/Latino graduates taking an AP exam during high school
• Third for the percentage of Asian graduates taking an AP exam in high school
• Fifth for the percentage of graduates taking an AP exam in high school

Participation in AP courses has grown across all racial and ethnic groups in Illinois. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2025 budget invested $3 million in AP. This included $500,000 for the AP Course Implementation Grant that supports school districts in expanding coursework opportunities and $2.5 million for AP Exam waivers, reducing test costs for low-income students to $15 per test in districts participating in the College Board’s direct-billing program.

Enacted in 2021, the Public Act 101-0654 requires school districts to automatically enroll its students in the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework, including AP, if they meet or exceed state standards on assessments. Automatic enrollment started this school year for qualifying students.

State law allows a score of three or higher on an AP exam to qualify for free college credits at all public universities and colleges across Illinois. In 2024, 57,089 state graduates took an AP exam during high school, with 37,513 scoring a three or higher. This represents a potential cost savings of $264 million for the state’s students.

“Illinois students continue to rise to the challenge of college-level coursework in high school, and I am incredibly proud of their achievements,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “The state’s investment in AP opportunities is helping more students, especially previously underrepresented students, access AP courses and exams and earn college credit, which not only helps to prepare students for the rigor of postsecondary education but also saves students time and money toward a degree.”

For more information on Illinois’ AP program, visit the ISBE Advanced Placement website.