The New York Times is reporting on the expansion of A.P. Tests being given in the U.S.  According to the article, the average high school now offers 10 A.P. courses to its students.    The report also states that even though there are more passing scores than ever, the fail-rate is also on the increase.  So what does this mean?  It means that more students are being exposed to college level education without the costs associated with campus.  It means that students are gaining confidence from passing the exams and recieve college credit while still in high school.  It means that students are being pushed to achieve outside of their comfort zone. The article implied that A.P. exams used to be for the elite, upper-class, sophisticated student.  If that was ever the case, it is no more.  Clearly more and more students are having the opportunity to participate in A.P classes.  This can only be a good thing.