MA House and Senate approve FY18 funding for AP STEM and English Program, serving 10,000 students across the state

The MA Budget Conference Committee released the FY18 Budget earlier today, with the following recommendation for line item 7035-0035 regarding AP STEM and English:

7035-0035 For a competitively bid, statewide, performance-based, integrated program to increase participation and performance in advanced placement courses, particularly among underserved populations, to prepare students for college and career success in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and English; provided, that these funds shall support all of the following program elements for each school: (i) open access to courses; (ii) identifying underserved students and increasing their rates of participation in advanced placement courses; (iii) equipment and supplies for new and expanded advanced placement courses; (iv) support for the costs of advanced placement exams; and (v) support for student study sessions; provided further, that these funds may support teacher professional development, including a College Board-endorsed advanced placement summer institute for math, science and English advanced placement teachers; provided further, that such program shall provide a matching amount of at least $1,000,000 in private funding for direct support of educators; provided further, that funds shall be disbursed by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year to cover costs expended between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018; provided further, that this program shall work in conjunction with an existing, separately funded, statewide pre-advanced placement program; and provided further, that funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months ………………………………………………………… $2,592,809