PLEASE NOTE: This is a revised Director’s Memo, referencing Director’s Memo SI-05-010, dated 08/13/04.
The amended Rule Governing Advanced Placement (AP) Courses in the Four Core Areas in High School (Act 102, 2003) was approved on October 11, 2004, by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). A public hearing was conducted on September 15, 2004. The Rule is attached to this memo.
The amended Rule includes provisions for Pre-AP teacher training that is stated in the Act, but was inadvertently omitted from the original Rule. Special note should be taken of the Teacher Training section, 4.0. If a Pre-AP teacher has not attended an official College Board endorsed or sponsored training institute or workshop in the appropriate content area within the last four years, an Additional Training Plan (ATP) will need to be completed. Attached to this memo is a revised ATP that can be used for AP and Pre-AP teachers alike. This training is also attached to the student receiving the weighted credit from AP exams (3.06) and The Standards for Accreditation, approved by the Arkansas Board of Education in December 2003, which states, “Weighted credit (additional quality points) for designated AP courses will be contingent upon the teacher completing training as required by the department and the student taking the applicable AP examinations.” (9.03, 4.10)
The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce that the May 2004 AP examinations for students desiring the weighted credit for AP courses taken during the 2004-2005 school year will be paid for by the state.
High schools must register AP program participation with the College Board and must follow the College Board’s directions for ordering exams. When completed exams are returned to the College Board, schools must also identify low-income students in order that the College Board can give the state the appropriate low-income fee reduction per student.
All schools should be aware that since the state will be paying for the May 2005 AP exams, high schools no longer will be able to collect or retain the $8.00 administration fee per exam.
Should a student have to take an alternate exam for whatever reason, the high school will have to pay the $40.00 alternate exam fee as the state will not be paying for these.
This is a great opportunity for many more students in the state to participate in the AP exams than ever before. For questions or additional information, please contact Ann Biggers, Administrator, Gifted Programs, at 501-682-4224 or abiggers@arkedu.k12.ar.us.