Schools Earn AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award Six Mississippi schools earned the College Board
“Today’s students need the power to shape technology,
Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female
not just cope with it,” added Stefanie Sanford, the College
Diversity Award this academic year for achieving high
Board's chief of global policy and external relations. “Young
female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA)
women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next
and/or AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools
generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders.
honored with the award have expanded girls’ access to AP
Closing the gap in computer science education empowers
computer science courses.
young women to build the future they want.”
Out of 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, these six schools are among 1,119 to achieve either 50% or higher
In 2020, 39,570 women took the AP CSP exam, nearly three times the number who tested in 2017.
female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population during the 2019-2020 school year. Columbia High School (Columbia School District), Northwest Rankin High School (Rankin County School District), Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs School
The first year of AP CSP in 2016-17 attracted more stu-
District), Ridgeland High School (Madison County School
dents than any other AP course debut, and participation is
District) and William B. Murrah High School (Jackson Public
on the rise. In 2020, more than 116,000 students took the
Schools) were recognized with an award for CSP, while Pass
AP CSP Exam — more than double the number of exam-tak-
Christian High School (Pass Christian School District) was
ers in the course’s first year and a 21% increase from the
recognized with CSP and CSA awards.
previous year. In 2020, 39,570 women took the AP CSP exam, nearly three times the number who tested in 2017.
A Code.org analysis of 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds women represent just 24% of the 5 million people in computing occupations.
Female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to similar female students who did not take CSP.
“During an unprecedented year, Mississippi female students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent of education. “We could not be
Providing female students with access to computer sci-
prouder of Mississippi’s female students for staking their
ence courses is critical to ensuring gender parity in the
claim as the next generation of STEM and computer sci-
industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, cre-
ence professionals. We can’t wait to see their passion for
ativity and representation. The median annual wage for
next-generation technology lead to lifelong success.”
computer and information technology occupations was
School Focus
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Summer 2021
