Geographic Disparities in Advanced STEM Availability

This paper examines disparities in AP® STEM course availability using the complete population of AP audit records (2015–2019), joined with NCES data on the characteristics of U.S. public high schools in operation during the period (N = 21,139). It examines: (1) how the number of AP STEM courses offered varies by geographic locale, and (2) how the availability of specific AP STEM courses differs across locales. Results show that rural and town schools offer fewer courses — both in terms of the total number of courses available and the likelihood of offering each course. The rural/town availability gaps are smallest for core-adjacent STEM courses and largest for high-math-demand courses. Regional and local variation in these gaps reveals the uneven distribution of secondary advanced STEM opportunities across the U.S. Findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to expand the availability of advanced STEM coursework, particularly in rural and town high schools.<br>