The District 219 Board of Education agreed to pay for all Advanced Placement (AP) exams for students, starting the 2024-25 school year. The funds for this initiative will come from the Title I grants, as it corresponds with the intended purposes for what the grants allow for. This new policy will replace the previous system in which the school covered the cost of only one AP exam for students.
In the 2023-24 school year, out of the 2,615 AP class spots taken, only 29.7% of students took one or more AP exam(s).
The decision to waive exam fees was driven by the fact that many students choose not to take AP exams due to the high price of $98 or more. By removing barriers, the district aims to ease the stress of families who cannot afford the exam.
“Students [in 2020] identified the cost of the exam as being a reason why they did not take the test at the end of the course. By subsidizing the cost, District 219 hopes to reduce the financial burden on families of students taking AP courses, as well as encourage more students to take AP courses,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Christine Gonzales said.
Students have expressed their relief about free AP exams, noting that it allows them to focus on preparing for the tests without additional worries.
“I love the fact that AP [does not] have fees from now on. By doing this the district has reduced a lot of financial burden and obviously for people who take a ton of AP classes, or a good amount, this reduces the stress. It also lets students study more without being anxious and even if you don’t do well, you know that you didn’t pay anything for it,” junior Avinn Shrestha said.
The board’s recent decision adds credibility to those in charge of education by demonstrating their commitment to supporting students’ academic success and well-being. This move reinforces trust in the leadership’s dedication to students.
“Mr. [Thomas] Moore, being the Chairman of College Board’s Board of Trustees, the district should pay for exams. It shows that our superintendent and district are committed to having more students take APs,” AP Language and Composition teacher Michele Hettinger said.
Gonzales reiterated that students who take AP classes should all be able to take the test, without any impediments.
“By completely removing the barrier of cost for AP exams, all students enrolled in AP courses now have an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. Students work hard all year in their courses. We want to make sure nothing gets in the way of finishing the year strong and showing off what you know on those AP tests,” Gonzales said.
