PRINTER'S NO. 556
No. 478 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY CORRIGAN, BEBKO-JONES, CAWLEY, GEORGE, GRUCELA,
HARHAI, JAMES, READSHAW, SHANER, STABACK, THOMAS, YUDICHAK,
PRESTON AND HENNESSEY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 25, 2003
AN ACT
1 Authorizing an advanced placement incentive grant program for
2 school districts; and providing for the powers and duties of
3 the Department of Education.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Advanced
8 Placement Incentive Act.
9 Section 2. Definitions.
10 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12 context clearly indicates otherwise:
13 "Advanced placement course." A high school level preparatory
14 course for advanced placement examination that is approved by
15 the College Board and Educational Testing Service.
16 "Advanced placement examination." The advanced placement
17 examination conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board,
18 on the basis of which participating institutions of
1 postsecondary education award postsecondary academic credit.
2 "College board." The College Board and Educational Testing
3 Service.
4 "Department." The Department of Education of the
5 Commonwealth.
6 "Low-income student." A high school student who is eligible
7 for Federal free or reduced meal programs or attends a school
8 where at least 75% of all students enrolled are eligible for
9 Federal free or reduced meal programs.
10 "Program." The Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Program
11 established under section 3.
12 "Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
13 Section 3. Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Program.
14 The Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Program is established
15 to assist school districts with the costs of advanced placement
16 examination fees for low-income students, teacher training and
17 materials necessary to offer advanced placement courses in high
18 school. The program shall be administered by the department.
19 Section 4. Procedure.
20 (a) Applications.--
21 (1) School districts may apply to the department for
22 grants pursuant to section 3 based on the number of low-
23 income students in the district enrolled in advanced
24 placement courses who will take the next offered advanced
25 placement examinations.
26 (2) A school district that applies to the department
27 under this subsection must designate school district staff to
28 whom low-income students may submit applications for grants
29 and must institute a plan to notify such students of the
30 availability of financial assistance pursuant to this
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1 section.
2 (b) Right to apply.--Any low-income student who is enrolled
3 in an advanced placement course may apply to the designated
4 school district staff for a grant pursuant to this section.
5 (c) Cooperation among school districts.--School districts
6 may join together and form collaboratives or consortia in order
7 to participate in the program.
8 Section 5. Grants for advanced placement teacher training and
9 instructional materials.
10 School districts may apply to the department for grants
11 pursuant to section 3 for the purpose of teacher training,
12 equipment and instructional materials necessary to provide
13 advanced placement courses and to assist low-income students
14 with the costs associated with advanced placement examinations.
15 Section 6. Report.
16 No later than January 1, 2006, the secretary shall submit a
17 report to the General Assembly describing the effectiveness of
18 the program. The report shall include, but not be limited to:
19 (1) The total number of pupils participating in advanced
20 placement examinations, separately identifying the number of
21 low-income students, and any increase in those numbers as a
22 result of the grants made available pursuant to section 3.
23 (2) The performance and pass rates on advanced placement
24 examinations on the part of low-income students, including
25 any increase in those rates.
26 (3) The number of pupils receiving financial assistance
27 pursuant to section 3.
28 (4) The number of low-income students in advanced
29 placement programs who enroll in higher education
30 institutions, separated by sector.
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1 (5) The number of low-income students who have passed an
2 advanced placement examination with a score of three or
3 better in any subject area and have taken an advanced
4 placement course in that subject.
5 Section 7. Effective date.
6 This act shall take effect July 1, 2003, or immediately,
7 whichever occurs later.
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