Acceleration programs provide students the opportunity to take academically rigorous courses and earn college credit while in high school. Our survey of university students found that their participation in these programs helped prepare them for college coursework and gave them a competitive advantage when applying to state universities. Students also reported that generally they were able to use their acceleration credits to meet university degree requirements, and students with these credits typically graduated with 12 fewer excess hours than other students.
However, nearly 24% of students surveyed reported not using some of their eligible acceleration credits because they retook a course at a state university. This practice is most common for math and science courses. Students reported that they retook these courses to improve their understanding of the subject matter, to increase their GPAs, or because their universities recommended that they take these courses as a part of a sequence of courses.

More Than 17% of Acceleration Courses and Exams Do Not Result in College Credit, Which Costs State Almost $6 Million
Report 09-21 March 2009
Modifying Advanced Placement Program Incentive Funding Could Produce Significant Cost Savings
Report 09-12 February 2009
Student Participation in Acceleration Programs Has Increased; Legislature Has Taken Steps to Reduce Program Costs
Report 08-70 December 2008
State's High School Acceleration Programs Are Funded Through a Variety of Sources
Report 06-27 March 2006

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.