Md. School Resolved to Finally Pass AP Tests

Potomac High School teacher Christopher Budano has tried to instill passion for his AP U.S. history class material -- and momentum for passing the test. (By Andrea Bruce -- The Washington Post)

While many high school students plunge into Advanced Placement tests today, one Prince George's County school will resume an increasingly urgent quest: Break its AP shutout.

For three straight years, Potomac High School has not had one student pass the test.

That's out of 301 tests given, county records show. The exams assess whether students have attained college-level expertise.

Last year, 59 of 60 tests at Potomac drew a score of 1, the lowest on the 5-point scale.

One student earned a 2 in English literature and composition, still shy of the magic 3 required for potential college credit. (Some universities credit only a 4 or 5.)

Several other schools in Prince George's and the District also struck out last year on AP tests. Many urban U.S. schools have posted very low scores even as AP gains popularity, according to the College Board, which runs the program. The trend shows that urban educators face an especially steep challenge to turn their goal of academic rigor into reality. But the streak of futility at Potomac High is unusual in the Washington area.

Sandra Nelson, in her seventh year as the principal of the 1,400-student school in the Oxon Hill area, said her priority recently has been to get more students to take AP courses and tests. "The important thing," she said, "was to expose them."

Many of Nelson's peers agree. In their view, students of all backgrounds benefit from an academic challenge. But some educators believe that too many underprepared students are pushed into AP courses they can't handle.

No AP test at Potomac High has received a 3 or higher since one student accomplished the feat on one exam in 2002. In 2001, three tests received passing scores.

Nelson predicts that AP scores will rise as the program takes root. She also said efforts to help students meet Maryland diploma requirements that start with the Class of 2009, including state exams for foundation courses in algebra, English, biology and government, should pay dividends in AP scores.

"We're expecting much better things," Nelson said.

John E. Deasy, who takes office today as Prince George's schools chief, has said raising AP performance countywide is a major goal. School system officials last week would not comment further.