The Effects of Advanced Placement Course-Taking on Test Scores and College Attendance Across Racial and Ethnic Groups: Human Capital or Signaling?

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Abstract

The number of high school students participating in the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program has skyrocketed over the last decade, with the number of students taking AP exams increasing by 140% from 1996 to 2006. However, we do not know the true potential of increased AP course access to decrease racial and ethnic gaps in academic outcomes and college attendance, because we do not know the causal effects of AP courses on these outcomes. This study addresses the following research questions: Do AP courses have positive effects on students’ test scores, academic self- concepts, or the likelihood of college entrance? If so, do any of these effects vary across racial and ethnic groups?

Author

• Tina Wildhagen, Smith College