Big Spring, Coahoma and Forsan high schools all have significant numbers of students participating in dual-enrollment college courses and other advanced classes, statistics show.

The three Howard County schools are part of a Texas-wide push to get students ready for post-high school academics.

Texas exceeded the national average in the percentage of students who took at least one Advanced Placement exam during high school, the Texas Education Agency announced.

Information released by the College Board, which administers the AP program, found that 27.5 percent of Texas public school students in the Class of 2008 took at least one AP exam while in high school, compared to 25 percent for the nation.

Universities often award course credit to students who earn a score of 3, 4 or 5 on an AP test so a strong performance on these exams can save Texas students thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.

Big Spring High School Principal Mike Ritchey said more than 50 AP tests were administered to BSHS students in the 2007-2008 school year. AP tests taken included history, chemistry, Spanish and calculus. Also, a large number of juniors and seniors are enrolled in dual-credit college courses at Howard College, he added.

College preparatory work is something BSHS officials take very seriously, Ritchey said.

“This is something we definitely hang our hat on,” he said. “We have former students doing very well in universities now who took the AP exam when they were here.

“We challenge the students to participate in this (advanced) curriculum,” Ritchey added. “I think those numbers are a testament to the rigors of the curriculum we offer.”

Few if any Coahoma and Forsan students, meanwhile, took the AP exams, but many are enrolled in dual-credit college courses.

Forsan ISD Superintendent Randy Johnson said no FHS students took the AP exam last school year. The reason, he said, was that school officials believe students can benefit more from actual classroom work.

“The advantage with concurrent courses is that it is a classroom setting; you know whether you're passing or failing,” Johnson said. “We just felt it was better for our students to know where they stand in the process.”

Forsan High School has 28 students enrolled in dual-credit courses at Howard College and another six taking online courses for college credit, according to information released by FHS counselor Angie Huckabee. In addition, 60 Forsan students are participating in technical college courses like computer technology and welding.

Only 1 percent of Coahoma High School students took an AP exam last school year, but more than 50 students are currently enrolled in dual-credit courses at HC, said Donna Bibb of the high school.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it