This whole list is irrelevant. They’re not even looking at scores on standardized tests. All they’re looking at is:
1) what percentage of students take AP classes/exams
2) divided by how many people are in a class
3) and then looking at how poor they are.
In other words, just how much a school challenges its students to take advanced course work.
Taking advanced level coursework is good, but so is one’s performance, which is not even examined here. So they’re not really stressing results here, just effort—if coerced effort.
“In other words, just how much a school challenges its students to take advanced course work.”
It is what it is. Schools that don’t have students who can achieve/master the challenges don’t offer them. Failures make them look bad. Likewise, the grad rate is included which implies they are at least passing the challenge.
The accompanying FAQ explains the hows and whys.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/18/AR2007051801440.html
Just a guess, you didn’t read it?