ABSTRACT Although recognized as a highly effective subject-acceleration intervention, accessibility of Advanced Placement (AP) coursework is not equally available to all students. This lack of access may contribute to documented disparities in AP participation between rural schools and their urban and suburban counterparts. The current study explores the effect of an online AP program on AP participation and exam-passing rates, in a single Midwestern state with a sizable rural population. Study results show that increased availability of AP coursework in rural schools increased access to AP in small to middle sized schools; however, the increased availability did not translate into increased AP exam participation. Nevertheless, exam-passing rates for those who took the exam was higher for schools that participated in the online program. Recommendations for building pathways to academic acceleration and achievement for rural students are discussed.

中文翻译：

---

农村学校的先修课程：机会均等

摘要 虽然被认为是一种高效的学科加速干预措施，但并非所有学生都能平等地获得大学预修课程 (AP) 课程的可及性。这种缺乏机会可能会导致农村学校与其城市和郊区学校之间在 AP 参与方面存在记录上的差异。当前的研究探索了在线 AP 计划对 AP 参与率和考试通过率的影响，在一个拥有大量农村人口的中西部州。研究结果表明，农村学校 AP 课程的可用性增加增加了中小型学校的 AP 学习机会；然而，可用性的增加并没有转化为 AP 考试参与度的增加。尽管如此，参加在线课程的学校参加考试的学生的考试通过率更高。