RIDE reports college-access opportunities increase in 2018

PROVIDENCE – State participation in college-access opportunities in Rhode Island increased across the board in the 2017-18 school year, the R.I. Department of Education announced Friday.

More than 9,700 students took the SAT in 2018, which represents an additional 1,400 students compared with the prior year.

In the 2017-18 school year, 4,472 students participated in dual and concurrent enrollment courses, a slight increase from 4,297 one year prior.

“We’ve made a concerted effort to expand the range and relevance of coursework offerings, and across the state Rhode Island high school students are seizing every one of those opportunities,” said Daniel P. McConaghy, chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. “When we set the bar high and provide the necessary supports, our students can meet and exceed all expectations. I’m thrilled to see this progress in participation and I look forward to continued growth in both participation and performance in the years to come.”

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This year, students completed more than 7,500 dual and concurrent enrollment courses, earning college credit at no cost to their families, RIDE noted.

Advanced Placement classes in Rhode Island comprised 6,300 students in 2018, a 758-student increase year over year, taking 11,064 tests, which was a 1,700-test increase year over year.

“We know that by 2020, 70 percent of jobs in Rhode Island will require some form of advanced education or training, and we are stepping up our game to make sure that our students can qualify and compete for those jobs,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a statement. “We’re making it possible for more students than ever to earn college credits while still in high school, to explore potential careers, to experience hands-on, work-based learning and to consider new possibilities for their futures.”