The Challenge Index, created by The Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews, ranks top public and private high schools in the United States based on the availability of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs and the number of graduating seniors. The ranking is calculated by dividing the total AP and IB exams taken by graduating students, excluding schools with selective admissions over 50%. While praised for highlighting challenging academic opportunities, critics argue it overlooks exam performance and broader school quality. Defenders cite research by Clifford Adelman linking rigorous high school coursework to college success. Results are published annually in The Washington Post and nationwide in Newsweek.
External links
- The Washington Post's coverage of the 2005 Challenge Index
- 2005 table of 1000 top schools nationwide The Washington Post
References
"Education Sector: Analysis and Perspectives: Challenged Index". June 8, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20070608072542/http://www.educationsector.org/analysis/analysis_show.htm?doc_id=358299 ↩
Mead, Andrew J. Rotherham and Sara (June 22, 2007). "A Rank Exercise" – via www.washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201321.html ↩
Mathews, Jay (June 22, 2007). "Accepting the Challenge" – via www.washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201435.html ↩
Adelman, Clifford. "Archived - Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor's Degree Attainment Appendix D: So They Got a Degree! Why Did It Take So Long? Or Did It?". www2.ed.gov. https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/Toolbox/toolbox.html ↩