HB18-1396 Summary

• Creates the Advanced Placement Exam Fee Grant Program in the Colorado Department of Education to increase low-income student participation in AP exams by providing grant funds to high schools to cover exam fees.

• Defines eligible students as low-income high school students planning to take one or more AP exams, using the federal definition from 20 U.S.C. Section 6537.

• Requires the Department of Education to administer the program by accepting school applications, determining grant amounts based on available appropriations, and awarding equal amounts per exam regardless of subject.

• Directs the State Board of Education to promulgate rules covering the application process, student eligibility verification, and grant award deadlines.

• Appropriates $554,869 from the general fund for the 2018-19 fiscal year to implement the program, with funding based on an assumption of 0.3 additional FTE in the department.