The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is pleased to announce that Act 146 of 2001, "An Act to increase the award for subsidized teacher training for Advanced Placement courses, and for other purposes" became effective August 13, 2001. Arkansas Code 6-16-804(c) is amended to read as follows: (c) Subject to legislative appropriations, a teacher participating in the program or in the pre-advanced placement program may be awarded subsidized teacher training for advanced placement courses at a cost not to exceed six hundred and fifty dollars ($650) per teacher. Reimbursement requests must be submitted to the office of Gifted and Talented no later than August 31 of each year. Once all requests are submitted determinations on how much of the reimbursement up to $650 can be made will be decided. Applicants will be notified about reimbursements by October 31. Most reimbursements are projected to be around $500.
In addition to this increase for Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-Advanced Placement Teacher Training, Act 929 of 1997 also provides the following areas of which schools, teachers, and students can benefit:
1. Equipment and Materials Grants:
Included with this mailing is grant information for application of one-time equipment and materials money. This money may be requested for each AP course being taught in a district that has not already received money for that course(s) under this legislation (1995-present). Pre-AP courses are NOT included in this segment of the Incentive Program.
2. School Awards for Exams:
The College Board will submit to the ADE by mid-August the number of scores of a three (3) or better earned by students on Advanced Placement exams. The ADE will then send districts payment of $50.00 per score that must be spent on the school's Advanced Placement program. By July 1 of each school year, districts are required to submit to ADE a final report (will be sent with notification of the award) detailing expenditures of funds received.
3. Teacher Training Subsidy:
One-day and/or two-day conferences: Payment of registration fee does not need to accompany the registration form that is sent to The College Board. On the registration form under "Eligible for State Fee Payment," check the box by Arkansas, complete the form and submit. The College Board will bill the ADE after the conference for teachers who were in attendance. (No room and board or travel is paid or reimbursed for one- or two-day conferences. Only registration is paid.) There will be three, two-day AP and Pre-AP Vertical Team conferences in Little Rock again this year. The dates are:
October 19-20, 2001, (Social Studies, Spanish, French, Studio Art - AP only, NO Pre-AP). Contact Tommie Sue Anthony, UALR, 501-569-3410.
November 30-December 1, 2001, (Math and Science AP Vertical Teams). Contact The College Board, 512-891-8404.
March 1-2, 2002 (English AP Vertical Teams). Contact Tommie Sue Anthony, UALR, 501-569-3410.
Summer Institutes: Registration for summer institutes must be done directly with the college/university hosting the institute. Payment must be made in advance of attendance. Reimbursement will be made by the ADE of Education and/or the college/university after the institute's completion. Any participant not showing or leaving before successful completion will not be reimbursed. Reimbursement forms may be obtained from the Office of Gifted and Talented (501-682-4224), on-site at in-state summer institutes, and/or from the supervisor of gifted programs at the education service cooperatives. Out-of-state forms must be obtained from the Office Gifted and Talented. (Travel is not reimbursed for in-state or out-of-state institutes.)
4. Fee for Students:
Fee Reduction: Using the income criteria as identified for the free and reduced school lunch program, districts submit a list of qualifying students to The College Board and the ADE. No money is sent from the district for these students. Upon completion of the AP exam, The College Board will bill the ADE and payment will be sent directly to The College Board.
Economic Supplement for students taking more than two (2) exams: Students who are not eligible for the $45.00 fee reduction (mentioned above) but who are taking more than two AP exams, a $50.00 supplement will be paid by the ADE for the third and subsequent
exam(s). The College Board will bill the ADE $50.00 for each exam over two for individual students.
GENERAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM IS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Toll-free number connects schools to AP services: 888-Call-4-AP (888-225-5427). The new toll-free number works the same as an "800" number to connect educators to AP Services at the Educational Testing Service where they may order publications or obtain AP Examination information, such as test dates and fees. In addition, the AP transcript service can be accessed by students who wish to have their AP score records forwarded to colleges and universities.
2. Getting Started and Registering for AP: AP Participation forms are sent to the principal or headmaster of all secondary schools in the United States and selected overseas schools every year in late September. The principal names an AP Coordinator who completes the form with an estimated number of students who will be taking AP exams and mails the form to AP Services. In January, AP Services sends the AP coordinator the necessary forms and procedures for ordering the AP examinations, copies of the AP Bulletin for Students and Parents for each AP student, and a copy of the studio Art Poster for each AP Studio Art candidate.
If there are any questions concerning any aspect of this program, please feel free to contact:
Ann M. Biggers, Administrator
Programs for Gifted/Talented
Phone: 501-682-4224 Fax: 501-682-5010
E-mail: abiggers@arkedu.k12.ar.us