How did the Advanced Placement Courses Program begin?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program began in 1952 as a collaboration between the College Board and a group of educators. The goal was to offer college-level coursework to highly motivated high school students, allowing them to earn college credit or advanced placement upon entering college. This initiative aimed to address concerns about the perceived inadequacies of high school curricula for gifted students and to make college more accessible. Initially, a small number of colleges participated, but the program quickly expanded in subsequent years.