The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education released new data last week showing a more than 6 percent increase in the number of Minnesota students taking Advanced Placement tests.

The AP program allows high school students to take college-level courses in a high school setting.

The data also shows a nearly 8 percent increase in the number of students scoring a “3” or higher on their exams, which is the cut score used by most colleges to award college credit to new entering students.

“The increase in Advanced Placement scores once again show that as we raise academic expectations, Minnesota students will rise to meet those expectations,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said.

In 2008, 27,605 Minnesota public school students took one of 44,281 AP exams; students can takes tests in multiple areas. Students earned a 3 or better on 28,138 of the exams.

“Advanced Placement courses are one of several great ways for high school students to challenge themselves and prepare for college-level work,” Minnesota Office of Higher Education Director Susan Heegaard said. “We are especially encouraged by the increased participation by students of color this year.”

Read about Litchfield High School students' performance in the Sept. 4 Independent Review print edition.