Federal education officials say the number of black and latino students who are taking Advanced Placement exams is surging across the country. Local educators say the trend has really picked up steam in South San Diego County. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Local educators say there's an AP testing surge in the Sweetwater Union High School District. About 85 percent of students there are Latino. Every year, more and more students are enrolling and taking AP exams.
High school students take the classes to get a jumpstart on their college education. But some critics say more kids are taking the exams because the courses have been watered down.
But district spokesman Anthony Milican says schools are simply offering AP courses to a wider audience.
Milican : For many years in this country, going back decades, advanced placement courses were reserved for the elite students. And now you've seen a movement to give more kids the opportunity to take the courses.
Even so, critics note that while more students are taking AP tests, not as many are actually passing them.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
