Assembly passes Sen. Lawson and Rep. Amore’s bill requiring public higher education to accept AP test scores for college course credit

            STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation (2022-S 2279A, 2022-H 6603A) sponsored by Sen. Valarie J. Lawson and Rep. Gregg Amore which would require the state’s higher education institutions to accept for college credit an Advanced Placement (AP) test score of three or better.

            “As costs continue to rise, higher education is no exception. This bill will help our students and families decrease the costs required for attaining a degree. The numerous educational benefits that AP courses provide to our students are well documented, and students who take AP classes have already demonstrated the educational drive to challenge themselves and stay engaged with their school work. This bill will ensure that their hard work pays off in college credits that could save themselves and their families significant dollars when tuition bills arrive,” said Senator Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

            “As someone who has taught AP courses, I am a firm believer in their abilities to engage our students and push them past their comfort zones in their educational careers.  With this bill, the educational opportunities afforded to students through AP classes will be combined with substantial cost savings for students and families through the attainment of college credits if the student scores well-enough on their AP tests,” said Representative Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).

            The act would also direct the commissioner of Postsecondary Education to annually collect data related to awarding college credit to students who receive test scores of three or higher on advanced placement courses.

            The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.