The College Board released their 8th Annual AP Report to the Nation today, and for the third year in a row Florida had the highest percentage of high school graduates taking an Advanced Placement exam.  

47.4 percent of last year's seniors took at least one AP exam during their high school career, compared to the national average of 30.2 percent.

"The latest Advanced Placement results highlight the achievement of Florida's students,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “Participating in advanced coursework and taking AP exams gives students a head start as they move into higher education.” 

Florida also placed sixth in the country in the number of graduate who earned a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Twenty-three-point-nine percent of last year's graduates scored a 3 or better, compared to the national average of 18.1 percent.

The College Board report also shows that the percent of Florida's Hispanic test takers who scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam increased last from 27.9 percent in 2010 to 28.4 percent in 2011.

The number of African-American students scoring a 3 or higher also increased from 6.7 percent in 2010 to 7.1 percent in 2011.

“This is tremendous news and shows that Florida students are embracing the rigors of advanced coursework and what it means to be ready for college or a career,” said Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson.  "I am confident that we will continue to maximize efforts to prepare students for the pathway to rigorous postsecondary work and 21^st century careers.”