A program to put more Kentucky high school students in Advanced Placement classes says its efforts helped students in 12 target schools dramatically increase achievement on national AP exams last school year, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader. Students at the 12 Kentucky schools–all of which participate in the AdvanceKy effort to boost AP class participation–earned 768 passing scores on AP national exams in math, science, and English, representing a 76.6 percent increase over the previous year. That increase easily topped the state’s overall passing score increase of 17.5 percent, and it far exceeded the national increase of 5.7 percent. AdvanceKy is a joint effort by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. and the state education department, in partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative. Executive Director Joanne Lang said AdvanceKy helped the schools use a variety of approaches to boost tests results, including opening AP classes to more students, counseling students, providing supplies and equipment, providing intensive training for AP teachers, and offering cash incentives…