A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
News Media Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico (202) 401-1576

Program Contact: Frank Robinson (202) 260-2669

May 20, 1998

Thousands of low-income students will have access to advanced placement (AP) tests under the first-ever AP state grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Education.

Thirty-two states applied for the grants and will share in $2,824,843.

"This is the first year that we've been able to offer students this additional help, to make sure that everyone has a chance to demonstrate his or her academic ability and move forward into college," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "I want every student to know that college is possible. The funds will be available -- if you do the work and prepare for college-level courses.

"I appreciate the leadership taken in the Senate on this important initiative by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)," he added.

Riley has urged schools to offer, and students to enroll in, more challenging course work based on rigorous academic standards. Enrolling in AP courses gives many students a chance to take college-level work while in high school.

Most colleges and universities award college credit to students who pass advanced placement tests -- saving tuition costs and allowing such students to be accepted more readily by the college of their choice.

Many states have indicated that receipt of the grants will allow them to step up outreach efforts to encourage low-income students to both enroll in AP classes and take the AP tests.

In order to be eligible for the grants, states were asked to provide the following assurances to the U.S. Department of Education:

• a description of the fees the state will pay and how many students they expect to benefit
• how low-income students will be identified and deemed eligible
• how the state will promote the availability of test fee payments through high school teachers and counselors
• how the state will gauge the effectiveness of the program.

 The AP fee payment grants to states are authorized by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, Title XV, Part G. Grant funds per state were made on the basis of Census Bureau counts of poor children ages 5-17 used under the Title I program for disadvantaged children.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Following is a list of states and fiscal year 1998 advanced placement fee payment award amounts.