A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

December 15, 2011

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT:  Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Incentive Program and Texas College Preparation Program

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of recent changes that will impact the Texas Advanced Placement (AP) / International Baccalaureate (IB) Incentive Program and the Texas College Preparation Program.

Texas AP/IB Incentive Program

In 1993, the 73^rd Texas Legislature established the Advanced Placement Incentive Program to recognize and reward students, teachers, and schools that demonstrate success in achieving the educational goals of the state.

Funding allocated to the AP/IB Incentive Program by the 82^nd Texas Legislature will enable the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide test fee subsidies in the amount of $30 for each AP/IB exam taken by Texas public school students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Please note that Senate Bill 1, 82^nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011, modified the eligibility requirements for students receiving test fee subsidies for AP and IB exams. Under the new statute, to be eligible for the subsidy, students must (1) have taken an authorized AP/IB course or be recommended by their principals to take the exam and (2) demonstrate financial need.

For eligible AP exams, TEA pays the $30 subsidy directly to the College Board. Campuses and districts should not collect this portion of AP test fees from students. For eligible IB exams, TEA provides the $30 subsidy to individual campuses in the form of a reimbursement.

AP exam students with financial need may receive an additional exam fee reduction from the College Board. Additional subsidies may be available from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Please note that the USDE federal grant that provides additional test fee subsidies has not yet been issued. If any additional subsidies are available, they will be announced via the AP/IB Incentive Program listserv upon the notification from the USDE.

Teacher Training Reimbursements and Campus Awards will not be available for the 2011-2012 school year.

Please visit http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=3822 for updates related to the AP/IB Incentive program. District personnel with AP/IB program responsibilities may wish to join the AP/IB Incentive listserv. To join the listserv, visit http://miller.tea.state.tx.us/list/ and select “AP-IB-Incentives” from the drop-down menu.

For more information about the Texas AP/IB Incentive Program, please contact Debbie Gonzales, program coordinator, by email at debbie.gonzales@tea.state.tx.us or by telephone at (512) 463-9581.

Texas College Preparation Program

The Texas College Preparation Program (TCPP) was first implemented in 2009-2010 to provide state-funded college readiness assessments and college entrance examinations for students in grades 8, 10, and 11 and to provide public school districts and charter schools data on college readiness in order to help inform instructional decisions. Please note that none of the components of the TCPP will be funded for the 2012-2013 school year.

For more information about the Texas College Preparation Program, please contact Jessica Snyder, program coordinator, by email at jessica.snyder@tea.state.tx.us or by telephone at (512) 463-9581.

Anita Givens

Associate Commissioner

Standards and Programs