INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 56

 

POLICY CODE:  LD/JPAB

 

TO:                 Superintendents of Schools, Secondary AP Teachers,

                        High School Principals, High School Guidance Counselors

 

FROM:            J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner

 

DATE:            March 15, 2001

 

SUBJECT:            Federal Advanced Placement Fee Payment Program

 

 

            The U.S. Department of Education has made it possible for low-income high school students enrolled in AP courses offered through Maine’s public and private higher education to be eligible for a fee reduction for the Advanced Placement Exam.  The Maine Department of Education has received $532,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to:

 

1. Provide assistance to low income students taking the AP exam.  This is after the reduction in fee provided by the College Board and;
2. To provide for expanding opportunities for low- income students and schools to offer AP courses.

 

Based on the estimated number of students who may be eligible for this fee payment, $48 per student per exam will be provided to assist eligible students.

 

            In order to be eligible, a student must:

 

1.      Be enrolled in an Advanced Placement class; and

2.      Plan to take an Advanced Placement test.

 

In addition; these funds may not be used if other funds (federal or non-federal) are

currently being used to assist low-income students in paying advanced placement fees.  Low income is defined as “an individual from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150% of an amount equal to the poverty level determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of Census”.  More detailed information is provided in the enclosed College Board letter.

 

            In order to claim assistance, the school will need to submit the attached application and a copy of the Fee Reduction Request Form, submitted to the College Board, to:

 

Wanda Monthey

Department of Education

23 State House Station

Augusta, Maine 04333

 

            All requests for payment fee must be submitted by April 13, 2001.  During the first week in May, a representative of the Department of Education will contact you to confirm the list of fee payment requests.  We anticipate that your district will receive the funds to pay the College Board/ETS invoice sent around June 1, 2001.

 

            If you have any questions, please contact Wanda Monthey at 624-6831.  This is a wonderful opportunity for us to help students achieve high expectations and be rewarded for their efforts.