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SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding the College Board's release of the AP Report to the Nation [http://professionals.collegeboard.com/data-reports-research/ap/nation] (Outside Source). This statement is embargoed until 6:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, Tuesday, February 6, 2007.

"I have long believed that if we hold our students to higher expectations, they will rise to the challenge. AP courses are tough and push students to work hard. Increasing rigor in high school is an important part of our high school reform efforts.

"This report shows that more California students than ever before are taking advanced placement courses in high school and succeeding on AP exams. It also shows a positive trend over the last five years of increased participation in AP by students in all ethnic subgroups and students who are low-income. While we must continue to work hard to close the achievement gap that persists in California schools, it is encouraging that so many students are reaching for a higher bar and succeeding."