OXNARD/CAMARILLO : Advanced Placement Pass Rate at 75%

Students at five high schools in Oxnard and Camarillo achieved the highest passing rate on the rigorous Advanced Placement tests in at least six years, officials said Wednesday.

Of the 546 tests taken by students at Oxnard, Camarillo, Rio Mesa, Channel Islands and Hueneme high schools in May, 407 received a passing grade, said Gary Davis, assistant superintendent of education for the Oxnard Union High School District.

The districtwide pass rate was 75%, 3% higher than in 1993-94 and a 4% increase over the 1992-93 rate, Davis said. Pass rates have increased every year since at least 1989-90, he said.

“It’s the highest I’ve ever seen it,” Davis said.

English, social science, math and foreign languages were the most popular subjects selected by the 382 students who took the grueling, three-hour exams, he said.

Counselors and teachers steer top students into Advanced Placement courses so that the students can earn early college credit, officials said. Many colleges and universities give credit to students who score a 3 or higher on the exams.

Although passing rates are climbing, the number of tests taken by students declined slightly from the previous year, Davis said. Students took 546 exams this year, down from a high of 610 tests last year, he said.

He attributed the drop to teachers being more selective about whom they recommend for accelerated courses and to the increasing cost of the exam. Each test costs $72, although discounts and scholarships are available, he said.