Wisconsin remains "Best in the Midwest" for Advanced Placement

Wisconsin retained its ranking as "Best in the Midwest" for Advanced Placement,  According to the College Board's Ninth Annual AP Report to the Nation a higher percentage of Wisconsin's 2012 graduates took AP exams than last year's graduating class and they outperformed students in the other 13 states in the Midwest region.   Over 29% of the 2012 graduating class took at least one AP exam during their high school career, giving them an early start on their postsecondary future.  The College Board reports that Wisconsin students who scored a 3 or higher on AP exams in 2012 earned an estimated 113,412 college credits, based on three credits per course. At an average rate of $310 per credit hour, the potential cost savings for students and their families was about $35.2 million. Click here to access a copy of the State Superintendent's News Release that contains additional information.  Click here to obtain a complete copy of the College Board's Ninth Annual AP Report to the Nation.

AP Greenhouse Grant - Receive up to $5,000 to pilot an innovative public service outreach program.

The Public Service Outreach Greenhouse "seeds" the start-up of public service outreach projects of high schools and colleges/universities that are College Board member institutions (click here to see if your institution qualifies). Proposals are now being accepted for programs that:

•  Reach targeted low-income and disadvantaged student populations
•  Attend to education needs that your institution is not yet meeting
•  Identify new service opportunities consistent with and supportive of their missions and the mission of the College Board

Funded projects will provide currently underserved populations with activities that advance the objective of educational excellence for all students. Project activities should focus on student academic development, professional development, guidance, assessment or financial aid services. Deadline for applications is April 5, 2013.  Click here for more information on this opportunity.

AP and IB Test Fees for Low-Income Students

Wisconsin public school districts are responsible by law to pay AP and IB exam fees for students that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This requirement is found in Wis. Stat. sec. 120.12(22). The full text follows:

Wis. Stat. sec. 120.12(22) Advanced Placement Examinations. Using federal, state, local, or private funds, pay the costs of advanced placement examinations taken by pupils enrolled in the school district who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in the federal school lunch program under 42 USC 1758.

For AP exams, the amount is a reduced fee. In 2013, the College Board provides a $28 fee reduction per exam for these students. The school forgoes its $8 rebate for the exam. The total amount the school district is responsible for is $53 per exam. There is no maximum number of exams that the student can take.

For IB, there is no reduced fee, so the school district is responsible for the full cost.