Iowa lags behind other states in AP test scores

DES MOINES (AP) ? A new report says that Iowa?s high school seniors are lagging behind students in other states when it comes to scoring well on Advanced Placement exams.

According to a College Board report released today, 11 percent of Iowa?s high school seniors scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam in 2013. These exams offer a way to earn college credit while still in high school and a 3 is the grade many colleges and universities require for credit.

On average nationally, 20 percent of seniors scored a 3 or higher an AP exam last year.

The governor?s special assistant for education, Linda Fandel, says one reason for the low performance may be that many Iowa high school students opt to take community college courses to earn college credits.