Equity & Diversity News in Brief

AP Computer Science Lacking in Diversity

By Liana Loewus — November 10, 2015 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

The pool of test-takers for the Advanced Placement computer science exam is still overwhelmingly white and male, according to data from the College Board.

The number of students taking the AP computer science exam increased by about 24 percent from last year, up to 46,000 U.S. students.

But the AP computer science exam has traditionally suffered from a lack of racial and gender diversity, and this year was no exception.

The number of female test-takers in computer science went up slightly over last year—but the group is still severely underrepresented, at just 22 percent. Ten states had fewer than 10 girls take the exam.

The percentage of test-takers who were members of underrepresented minorities went up just half a percentage point, to 13 percent. Twenty-three states had fewer than 10 black students take the exam, and in nine states no black students took it.

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the November 11, 2015 edition of Education Week as AP Computer Science Lacking in Diversity

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Assessment Webinar
Reflections on Evidence-Based Grading Practices: What We Learned for Next Year
Get real insights on evidence-based grading from K-12 leaders.
Content provided by Otus
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Breaking the Cycle: Future-Proofing Schools Against Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is a signal, not just data. Join us for a webinar on reimagining attendance with research & AI!
Content provided by Panorama Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar
Trust in Science of Reading to Improve Intervention Outcomes
There’s no time to waste when it comes to literacy. Getting intervention right is critical. Learn best practices, tangible examples, and tools proven to improve reading outcomes.
Content provided by 95 Percent Group LLC

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Equity & Diversity Opinion How Education Leaders Should Respond to the Anti-DEI Crowd
Decades of essential equity-based work is under threat in our schools today, warns Joshua P. Starr.
Joshua P. Starr
4 min read
202503 Opinion Starr DEI 2155439727
iStock/Getty Images
Equity & Diversity A Wave of New Legislation Aims to Ban DEI in Public Schools
State legislators have introduced measures that would prohibit schools from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.
7 min read
Vector illustration concept of people being denied entrance, stopped at the door.
DigitalVision Vectors
Equity & Diversity Opinion ‘Diversity’ Isn’t a Dirty Word: Why Politicians Are Scapegoating DEI
The language may be new, but we’ve seen these same tactics used to attack racial equality for decades.
Janel George
5 min read
Flag of the USA, painted on grunge distressed planks of wood, signifying dismantling or building back up
Yamac Beyter/iStock
Equity & Diversity Q&A How One School Leader Uses Music and More to Celebrate Black History
As Black History Month ends, a school leader in Norwalk, Conn., reflects on her varied approach to celebrating the month—and the significance of studying and learning from Black history.
4 min read
A poster hangs on the walls of Brien McMahon High School during Black History Month in Norwalk, Conn.
A poster hangs on the walls of Brien McMahon High School during Black History Month in Norwalk, Conn.
Courtesy of LaShante James