🛝 AP Exams Go Digital, Computer Science Education, Calculus vs. Statistics

Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

• Pencils Down, Keyboards Up: AP Exams Go Digital

• Computer Science Education Reaches Critical Mass

• The Great Math Debate: Calculus vs. Statistics

Are You Ready to Judge Education's Hottest $50K Pitch Battle?

Every week, education's boldest innovators step into the ring at Pitch Playground podcast.

The prize?

$50,000 to turn their breakthrough idea into reality.

Join thousands of education innovators who tune in weekly to discover which ideas could transform tomorrow's classrooms.

Be a judge → Vote for your favorites and see if you can spot the next education unicorn before everyone else.

Pencils Down, Keyboards Up: AP Exams Go Digital

College Board is ditching paper for most Advanced Placement exams this year, moving 28 out of 36 subjects to a digital format. They promise a "more secure, streamlined, and student-friendly testing experience.”

Over 3 million students are expected to take nearly 6 million digital or hybrid APs in May.

The move follows the SAT's successful jump to digital, and early pilots are promising: over 75% of students and administrators rated the digital AP experience better or the same as paper.

It seems "digital natives" are adapting quickly, signaling a need for interactive practice platforms and digital test prep tools that help students.

Computer Science Education Reaches Critical Mass

Computer science education is no longer just a nice-to-have. It's becoming the law.

The numbers are striking:

• 32 states now require high schools to offer at least one computer science course

• 12 states now mandate CS courses for graduation (West Virginia joined in April)

• 17 states have expanded requirements down to middle and elementary schools

"This movement has gained significant momentum in the last two years," says Jake Baskin, executive director of the Computer Science Teachers Association.

This rapid policy shift forecasts growing demand for curriculum, teacher training, and learning tools that make CS accessible to all students.

The Great Math Debate: Calculus vs. Statistics

For decades, calculus has been the crown jewel of high school math. It’s the signal of "elite ability" that colleges look for. But does it actually matter?

A new study tracking 5.2 million Texas graduates found barely any difference in college success between students who took AP Calculus versus AP Statistics.

Turns out only 16% of high school students complete calculus nationwide. Statistics course enrollment is surging while calculus stays flat.

For education innovators, this creates an opportunity to develop alternative math pathways that are equally rigorous but more aligned with students' career interests and real-world applications.

If you enjoyed this edition of Playground Post, please share it with your friends!

We’ll be back with another edition on Tuesday. See you then!

To stay up-to-date on all things education innovation, visit us at playgroundpost.com.