STATEHOUSE (Feb. 9, 2010) - A key Senate committee will consider a bill Wednesday requiring Indiana's public colleges and universities to give academic credit for high scores on advanced placement (AP) exams, according to State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn).

Members of the Senate Committee on Education will hear testimony on House Bill 1135 at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Room 233 of the Statehouse.

"I sponsored this legislation because the concept of rewarding more high school students who are achieving at the college level has merit," said Kruse, chair of the education committee. "However, we must consider our state educational institutions' commitment to academic rigor. It is important to recognize a student's work and at the same time ensure that the credit is fairly and appropriately applied."

Currently, the decision to accept students' AP exam scores for academic credits is left up to the state's higher education institutions.

The College Board, which administers the AP program in Indiana and other states, offers 33 courses and exams across multiple subject areas. Each course is developed by a committee composed of college faculty and AP teachers, and covers information, skills, and assignments found in the corresponding college course.

Kruse said AP examinations are given each year in May and test students' ability to perform at a college level. A score of three, four or five on a scale of 1 to 5 is considered satisfactory by the College Board.

A 2006 study revealed students who earned a three or better on one or more AP exams in core content areas were more likely to graduate from college in five years or less compared to non-AP students, according to the National Center for Educational Accountability.

"Providing bright students with creative incentives to go to college is a step in the right direction," Kruse said. "I look forward to continuing discussions with fellow lawmakers and our state's educational institutions on this measure during the second half of this legislative session."

About 10 percent of 2008 Hoosier graduates earned a three, four or five on an AP exam during high school, according to Indiana's Department of Education.

To watch proceedings online please visit www.in.gov/Senator.Kruse, click on the watch and listen tab and view proceedings in Room 233.

Audio Clip

Kruse represents Senate District 14, which includes portions of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties.

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