Advanced college credit increases in Missouri

But state ranks 48th in nation

February 21, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated February 21, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

The number of Missouri students earning advanced college credits while still in high school has more than doubled during the last decade but Missouri continues to lag far behind most other states, state records released Wednesday reveal.

Photo by Steve Keesee

Stephen Bell with the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce hunkers at an empty lot where the Pam Pam Supper Club stood until May's tornado, across the street from the now-rebuilt La Petite Cajun Bistro.

Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro said Wednesday even with the increase in participation Missouri still trails most other states in the number of students earning qualified grades on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

Missouri ranks 48th among all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the percentage of students participating in the program.

High school students generally are required to score 3 or higher on a five-point scale to earn college credit for AP courses.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.