Alabama is receiving over $250,000 to expand Advanced Placement (AP) access to more students. The U.S. Department of Education awarded grants to 42 states, including Alabama, to eliminate one of the financial roadblocks some students have to more rigorous AP courses that prepare them for success in college.
These funds will be used by all Alabama public schools, including those participating in the A+ College Ready program, to help offset the cost of taking the AP exams administered by The College Board. The out-of-pocket cost to each low income student will be reduced to approximately $10 after grant monies are applied.
Alabama has opened the doors of AP to many more non-traditional, low income and minority students. These additional funds will help defray the cost of AP exams for low-income students, which is a key factor in Alabama’s AP growth and success.
The National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI) released its results this week for the 2012-13 school year, confirming that more investments in AP programs pay off in large dividends. Its release states that, on average, schools participating in the NMSI programs see a 72% increase in AP math, science and English passing scores – ten times the national average for all schools.
A+ College Ready was one of the pilot programs for NMSI’s Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program, and has experienced remarkable results in Alabama. Since its first cohort of schools enrolled in 2008, A+ College Ready schools have been spotlighted as an example nationally for successful and impactful AP implementation. Program schools receive funds from national, state and local partners for additional teacher training, Saturday study sessions and support for students, costs of equipment and materials, and summer enrichment.
“All of these efforts invest time and money into a very successful program, which proves every year that students can achieve at high levels when given the opportunity and support,” said Boehm.
Alabama Results for the 2012-13 school year will be released in September at a special celebration event (to be announced soon).
The amount of the grants awarded by the USDOE was determined by the student data reported from each state, and was based on number of students who took AP exams in the 2012-13 school year.
