Agenda Item
a. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams (Not to exceed $560,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of Advanced Placement Exams from College Board for the SY26-27 test administration for an amount not to exceed $560,000. The requested purchase is a testing expenditure that does not require a bid per the District’s Purchasing Board Policy (DJE).
Why: This solution supports Strategic Goal Area 1: Student Academic Success with Equity and Access.
The District’s purchase of an AP exam for students enrolled in an AP course will provide greater access and equity for students to complete graduation requirements while potentially earning college credit.
National research studies submit that students who successfully complete an AP course are more likely to graduate from high school and graduate from college.
Details: Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses offered in high school. Students can earn college credit by scoring a level 3, 4, or 5 on the exam.
Subject to state appropriations for the 2026-2027 school year, the state of Georgia funds one AP exam for Georgia public school students enrolled in AP courses in one of two categories:
• Category 1: Students are public school students enrolled in an AP course who individually qualify for the College Board fee reduction. For these students, the state of Georgia has previously paid for one AP exam for a student who takes any exam enrolled in any course. AP Seminar and AP Research exams will now be included in the Category 1 funding option.
• Category 2: Students are public school students enrolled in an AP STEM course who do not qualify for the College Board fee reduction. For these students, the state of Georgia has previously paid for one AP STEM exam for students enrolled in an AP STEM course. Courses include:
1. AP Computer Science A
2. AP Computer Science Principles
3. AP Calculus AB
4. AP Calculus BC
5. AP Precalculus
6. AP Statistics
7. AP Biology
8. AP Chemistry
9. AP Environmental Science
10. AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
11. AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
12. AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
13. AP Physics C: Mechanics
Financial impact: General Funds: 100.2210.553200.00011.7540.9990.0810.030.0000.
Contact: Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research, 678.676.0300
Dr. Sean Tartt, Acting Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, 678.676.9234
Dr. Felicia G. Rhone, Director of Assessment Administration, Division of Accountability and Research, 678.676.0300
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: No Legal Approval Required