MN HF1289

Establishes a grant program for school districts and charter schools to expand advanced placement (AP), pre-AP, and international baccalaureate (IB) programs, requiring applicants to submit three-year plans approved by local school boards.

Commissioner awards competitive grants up to $85 per pupil (maximum $150,000 per district) based on applications demonstrating efforts to increase student access, participation, and diversity in AP/IB courses, with priority given to programs targeting low-income and disadvantaged students.

Permitted grant uses include teacher training and instruction, course development, transition support between grade levels, books and supplies, course fees, online learning expansion, hiring licensed personnel, and distributing promotional materials to underserved student populations.

Appropriates $4.5 million for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to cover AP and IB examination fees and teacher training (75 percent for AP, 25 percent for IB), with at least $500,000 annually for summer training programs.

Appropriates $750,000 for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 in grants specifically to increase AP and IB science, technology, engineering, and math course offerings to low-income and underserved students.