Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
(a) Purpose. The Texas advanced placement
incentive program is created to recognize and reward students, teachers, and
schools that demonstrate success in achieving the educational goals of the
state. An award or a subsidy granted under this section shall be for the public
purpose of promoting an educated citizenry.
(b) Types of awards.
(1) A school participating in the program
shall be eligible to receive the following awards:
(A) a one-time, $3,000 equipment grant for
providing a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate
course, based on need as determined by the commissioner of education;
(B) up to $100 for each student who receives
a score of three or better on a College Board advanced placement or
International Baccalaureate test; and
(C) up to $450 to reimburse a teacher or pay
for a teacher to complete approved College Board advanced placement or
International Baccalaureate training.
(2) A teacher who teaches a College Board
advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course shall be eligible to
receive the following awards:
(A) a one-time
award of $250 for teaching a College Board advanced placement or International
Baccalaureate course for the first time; and
(B) a share of the teacher bonus pool
proportional to the number of courses taught that shall be distributed by the
teacher's school. Fifty dollars may be deposited in the teacher bonus pool for
each student enrolled in the school who receives a score of three or better on
a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate
test.
(3) A student who
receives a score of three or better on a College Board advanced placement or
International Baccalaureate test may receive a reimbursement of up to $65 for
the advanced placement or International Baccalaureate testing fee. The
reimbursement shall be reduced by the amount of any subsidy awarded by the
College Board or International Baccalaureate or under subsection (e) of this
section.
(c) Award
adjustment. The commissioner of education shall adjust and prorate by category
the sum and number of awards to ensure the purpose of the program is
realized.
(d) Application for, and
use of, awards.
(1) To obtain an award, a
school or teacher must submit to the State Board of Education (SBOE) a written
application in a form, manner, and time prescribed by the commissioner of
education.
(2) A school must give
priority to academic enhancement purposes in using any award received under
this section. An award may not be used for any purpose relating to
athletics.
(3) The principal of
each school participating in the program shall convene, at least annually, a
team composed of not more than five members, with not fewer than three
teachers, to include at least one teacher participating in the program and at
least one teacher who teaches students in preparation for their participation
in the program, for the purpose of determining the use of funds awarded under
subsection (b) of this section.
(e) Subsidies for College Board advanced
placement or International Baccalaureate tests.
(1) A student is entitled to a subsidy for
the fee he or she pays to take a College Board advanced placement or
International Baccalaureate test if the student demonstrates financial need
according to guidelines adopted by the College Board.
(2) The Texas Education Agency (TEA), with
SBOE approval, may pay each eligible applicant an equal amount of up to
$25.
(f) Funding of
awards and subsidies.
(1) An award or a
subsidy granted under this section is subject to the availability of funds. An
award or a subsidy may be funded by donations, grants, or legislative
appropriations.
(2) The
commissioner of education may solicit and receive a grant or donation for the
purpose of making awards under this section. The TEA shall account for and
distribute any donation, grant, or legislative appropriation.
(3) The TEA shall apply to the program any
available funds from its appropriations that may be used for this
purpose.
(4) An application for
funding may be filed with TEA at a date determined by the commissioner of
education.