Perspectives on the Development and Future of Advanced Placement^® Human Geography

Abstract

Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography faced a number of hurdles that nearly derailed the course before it launched in 2000–2001. A dedicated cadre of geography professionals and high school teachers rose to the challenge and the course remains one of the fastest growing AP courses currently offered by College Board. Seventeen readers and leaders scored 3,272 exams in 2001. The numbers increased dramatically to 160,013 exams scored by 597 readers in 2015. This article briefly discusses the early challenges, and considers three long-term goals.

Key Words::

• Advanced Placement Human Geography
• assessment
• geographic education

Notes

1. This Web site is accessed at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbara Hildebrant

Barbara Hildebrant is senior director for College Board programs, history and social sciences, sciences, and English language arts with the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. She is also the senior test developer for AP Human Geography.