The Influence of Advanced Placement Enrollment on High School GPA and Class Rank: Implications for School Administrators

Written by Fenwick, Lockridge, Lombardi, R., Mowbray, P., Quarles, T., O'Halloran, J., & Jarrow, Kingsmill (October 2012). Advanced Placement; Higher Education

Summary

As high schools offer more pre-Advanced Placement (pre-AP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses to prepare students for college academics, students often are given quality grade point average (GPA) points to help compensate for the rigorous curriculum. In states where class ranking determines automatic university admission, fluctuations of class ranking might influence students’ decisions regarding whether or not to enroll in AP courses. Using a correlational design, a convenience sample of 116 high school graduate transcripts was analyzed for pre-AP and AP course completion, GPA, and class rank. Data were analyzed using measures of correlation and multiple regression. Results of a transcript analysis for pre-AP and AP course completion confirmed that the number of completed pre-AP and AP courses was a strong predictor of high school GPA and class rank. The findings suggest that as educators begin to understand the implications of AP course enrollment on the post-secondary educational options available to students, educators might alter the advice given to students as they embark on their college planning. Implications for school administrators are discussed.