What's happening
This bill creates a program to reimburse exam fees for advanced coursework in New York public high schools, making such exams cost-free for students.
Why it matters
Reduces financial barriers to college credit for high school students. by making advanced coursework exams (such as AP, IB, or similar) free, potentially increasing participation among students from lower-income families who might otherwise skip these opportunities due to cost.
Requires schools to proactively inform students and parents. about the availability and cost-free status of advanced coursework programs, which can improve awareness and ensure more equitable access to college-preparatory experiences.
Mandates prompt state reimbursement to school districts. for exam fees after any provider-based fee reductions, ensuring that schools are not financially burdened and can continue to offer a broad range of advanced coursework.
Defines clear standards for eligible programs and providers. (must be nonprofit, recognized by state authorities), which helps ensure quality and consistency in advanced coursework offerings and prevents misuse of public funds.
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Who cares
Students taking advanced coursework exams and their parents
The bill would require state reimbursement of exam fees after any provider fee reduction and direct schools to explain available programs and potential college-credit benefits.
School districts hosting authorized schools
Districts would submit reimbursement information by June 1 of the base year and receive payment within 30 days of filing.
Authorized secondary schools
Schools would have to notify each student and parent directly at the start of the academic year about available advanced coursework programs, their cost-free status and potential benefits, and post that information online.
State Education Department
The department would administer exam-fee reimbursements, accounting for any fee reductions provided by advanced coursework providers.
Headline styles
Free Advanced Exam Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
246
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. EACHUS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing an advanced coursework and examination access program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 819 to read as follows:
§ 819. Advanced coursework and examination access program. 1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "Advanced coursework program" shall mean a course of study offered by a nonprofit foundation or organization to students of authorized schools that results in the award of college credit or by which the completion of the program commonly results in the discretionary granting of credit by colleges at enrollment, such term shall not include programs offered by institutions of higher education pursuant to section two of this chapter.
b. "Advanced coursework provider" shall mean a nonprofit foundation or organization that develops and administers advanced coursework programs and is recognized by the commissioner and the board of regents.
c. "Advanced coursework exam" shall mean any test or exam administered as a component of an advanced coursework program and is a requirement of the program in order for a student to achieve college credit or a discretionary equivalent as defined by paragraph a of this subdivision. Such test or exam must require a fee prior to administration.
d. "Authorized school" shall mean an institution of secondary education that has completed an audit or authorization process through the advanced coursework provider allowing for the delivery of an advanced coursework program.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01416-01-5
e. "Exam fee" shall mean the billed cost of an advanced coursework exam.
f. "Provider fee reduction" shall mean a reduction or financial assistance granted by an advanced coursework provider for certain qualifying students to partially reduce an exam fee.
2. The department is authorized and directed to reimburse exam fees associated with the administration of an advanced coursework exam. The amount of such reimbursement shall reflect the per pupil cost after taking into account any provider fee reduction.
3. School districts hosting one or more authorized schools shall file with the commissioner, in a form determined by the commissioner, all information relevant to securing a reimbursement by June first of the base year. The department shall provide the school district hosting one or more authorized schools the reimbursement within thirty days of such filing.
4. Authorized schools are directed to inform students and parents of all advanced coursework programs offered, their cost-free status, and the potential benefits of their successful completion as it relates to college credit and other academic opportunities. Such notification shall be provided to each student and parent directly at the start of the academic year and made available on the school website.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.