I'm trying to see patterns for popular classes in U.S. high schools, especially as it pertains to challenging courses like AP or IB. Could anyone help me find a good resource for this data?
While it can be difficult to determine the precise popularity of specific high school classes across the entire U.S., there are some resources available that can provide helpful, general insights.
The College Board, for example, annually publishes data on the number of students taking each AP (Advanced Placement) exam. This can give you a good idea of which AP courses are most popular because students typically take the corresponding exam for an AP class they've enrolled in. most-taken exams.
Similarly, the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization also keeps track of participation in its Diploma Program, although it does not break down its global statistics by individual course.
Consider checking with state departments of education, too. Some states maintain records of course enrollment data for public schools and might share those statistics upon request or publish them online. Understandably, this approach could be time-intensive if you're interested in national trends.
Lastly, remember that popularity may not directly equate to academic rigor or relevance for college studies. Different classes may be more prevalent based on state graduation requirements, school resources, and student interests. For instance, AP U.S. History might be a common class due to its relevance to the mandatory U.S. history curriculum in many high schools.
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