The Advanced Placement program is one of the leading programs available to prepare high school students for higher education. Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses taught by high school teachers to high school students. High school students who perform well on the AP exam and pass the AP classes attain college level skills and have the opportunity to obtain college credits. Research has shown that students passing AP exams are three times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not. On average, over five years the program has tripled the number of students passing AP English exams, quadrupled the number passing AP math exams, and quintupled the number passing AP science exams. In addition, African American and Hispanic students who pass AP exams are four times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not.