Tennessee Department of Education officials will be in East Knox County today to launch a state-funded pilot program that will pick up the tab for some high school students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Successful completion of the $89 end-of-course exams is a requirement for students hoping to get college credit for their AP classes.
The two-year pilot program will also pick up certification and licensure fees for some students enrolled in career and technical courses.
The program was passed during the last legislative session to see if students were avoiding AP classes because they couldn’t afford the exam fees. A College Board study in 2012 found only 38 percent of American students who had the potential to pass the exams actually signed up for the classes and took the tests.
Twenty-two Tennessee high schools were chosen to take part in the pilot program, five of which are in Knox County. The identity of the five Knox County schools will be revealed during a press conference today at noon.