Montgomery – Passing scores on Advance Placement tests often earn students college credit and the courses prepare them for college. But now the classes have an added benefit: padding the pocketbooks of Alabama students who pass the rigorous tests.
Governor Bob Riley joined education officials Monday in announcing the names of a dozen high schools in Jefferson and Montgomery counties that are the first to receive part of a $13.2 million incentive grant to promote participation in AP classes.
Students will get $100 for every passing score they get on AP math, science and English exams.
Teachers will receive $100 for each of their students who pass the tests and there are also stipends for administrators and teachers who encourage students to enroll.
The schools will receive more than $750,000 in the 2008-09 school year.
In return they've pledged to increase AP classes in math, science and English by 60 percent and boost enrollment in the classes by 70 percent.
They've also set a goal of having 878 passing scores in the first year.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)