CA AB1854

Establishes a grant program administered by the State Department of Education to cover Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examination fees for eligible economically disadvantaged and foster youth high school pupils, subject to annual Budget Act appropriation.

Defines eligible pupils as high school students eligible for state or federal free or reduced-price meal programs or classified as foster youth under Section 42238.01.

Allows school districts and charter schools to apply for grant funding based on the number of eligible pupils enrolled in AP or IB courses, with grants expended only for examination fees; eligible pupils receiving grants pay only $5 of the examination fee.

Permits school districts and county superintendents to form collaboratives or consortia to participate in the program and requires grants not to supplant existing fee waivers for low-income pupils.

Authorizes the department to prorate grants proportionally if applications exceed available funding and allows the department to contract with AP or IB examination providers without standard public contracting requirements.