Nevada gets nearly $300,000 to help low-income students afford AP tests

By Ian Whitaker

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015 | 12:35 p.m.

Nevada is one of 38 states getting federal funding to help low-income students afford Advanced Placement tests.

The U.S. Department of Education today announced $28.4 million in grants.

Nevada will receive $296,978 for fiscal year 2015, which officials said would reduce the cost of taking the AP exam to about $12 for low-income students. An AP exam normally costs $91.

Even though the test administrator, the College Board, offers discounts based on financial need, officials say the cost has been enough to discourage many minority and low-income students from participating.

AP courses are rigorous and come with the opportunity for students to earn college credit while still in high school. The grant program comes as national and state education officials are increasingly on the lookout for ways to prepare students for college and careers earlier in school.

In Nevada, the lowest participation in Advanced Placement courses has been among African-American students, according to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Dale Erquiaga. He said the grants would go a long way to help close that gap, but more work needs to be done.

“Participation isn’t enough,” he said in a conference call. “We want students to be able to pass the test at the end of the course.”

The amount of each state grant was based on how many low-income students were expected to take the tests.

The grants could have a big impact in Southern Nevada, where the Clark County School District was honored by the College Board earlier this year for increasing participation in AP classes. Enrollment in AP classes has increased nearly 10 percent in the district in the last three years. At the same time, test scores among low-income students have improved.