WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Maine nearly $84,000 to help fund advanced placement tests for low-income students. The tests include those administered by the College Board, the International Baccalaureate Organization and Cambridge International Examinations.
In all, the department awarded a total of $28.4 million to 40 states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands. The money is aimed at helping low-income students become ready for college and careers.
"These grants eliminate some of the financial roadblocks for low-income students taking Advanced Placement courses, letting them take tests with the potential of earning college credit while in high school," says U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in a statement.
The amount of the grant was based on the state's estimate of how many tests would be taken by low-income students. They're are expected to cover all but $18 of the cost of each test a low-income student takes. States can opt to require students to pay a portion of a test's cost, officials say.