ED Accepting Applications for High School Reform Programs

The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for its Advanced Placement Grant programs. Notices inviting applications for new awards under two programs for fiscal year 2003 were published in the Federal Register May 15 and 16. The notices and applications can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.ed.gov/GrantApps/#84.330B and www.ed.gov/GrantApps/#84.330C.

The two open competitions are the Advanced Placement Incentives Grant Program and the Advanced Placement Test fee Grant Program. Applications for the Advanced Placement Incentives Program are due to the department by July 3. Applications for the Advanced Placement Test Fees Program are due by June 30.

The Advanced Placement Incentives Grant Program is for three-year competitive awards to state educational agencies, local educational agencies, or national nonprofit educational entities with expertise in providing Advanced Placement services. Grants must be used to expand access for low-income individuals to prepare for and succeed in Advanced Placement courses. Reform efforts that seek to increase the rigor of curriculum in grades six through twelve are allowable under the program. More specifically, activities can include: teacher training, development of pre-Advanced Placement courses, coordination and articulation between grade levels to prepare students for academic achievement in Advanced Placement classes, books and supplies, and participation in online Advanced Placement courses.

The Advanced Placement Test Fee Program awards grants to state educational agencies to enable them to cover part or all of the cost of test fees of low-income students who are enrolled in Advanced Placement classes or International Baccalaureate programs and who plan to take an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test. Funds from this program subsidize test fees for low-income students to encourage them to take Advanced Placement tests and obtain college credit for high school courses, reducing the time and cost required to complete a postsecondary degree.

The department expects to make 22-42 awards totaling $10.7 million for the Advanced Placement Incentive Program and 4-50 awards totaling $3 million for the Advanced Placement Test Fee Program.

For more information, see www.ed.gov/offices/OII/portfolio/ap.html.