Hispanic/Latino students in Illinois are leading the nation when it comes to participation in Advanced Placement examinations, according to a national report from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois' Latino students are on the forefront when it comes to AP test taking. One-in-five Latino students in Illinois participate in AP exams, which could earn them college credit prior to attending college. Also, over the last decade, participation among Latino students in Illinois has quadrupled, reaching 10,000 (9,287 in 2014 compared to 2,160 in 2004).

"Our focus over the last five years has been on college career readiness," ISBE spokesperson Amanda Simhauser said in a statement. "We've implemented new learning standards that are focused on preparing students for college and careers, and so the AP program complements our efforts to focus on college and career readiness."

Additionally, Simhauser indicated that minority students who obtain at least a three on their AP exams are more likely to reach graduate level education. Approximately 17.3 percent of Latino test-takers in 2014 earned a three or higher, compared to 8.2 percent in 2004.

The percentage of 2014's Latino graduates who particpated in AP exams exceeded statewide expectations three years running, according to the AP data. That same data showed that Latino students comprised less than 20 percent of (18.1 percent) of Illinois' Class of 2014, yet they represented more than 20 percent (20.4 percent) of statewide graduates who took one or more AP exams during their high school career.

"Latino and other minority students traditionally are underrepresented in these rigorous courses as well as among the portion of AP test takers who post successful scores," State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D, said in a statement. "Illinois continues to put more minority and low-income students in AP classrooms, where they gain the knowledge, skills and resources to thrive and prepare for postsecondary life."

According to the ISBE site, AP exams measure a student's content mastery of college-level studies in a particular academic discipline. Minority and low-income students who earn at least a three on an AP exam are more likely than their peers to earn higher degrees in college and a college degree within five years.

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