The offering of free Advanced Placement courses through AP4ALL is another way the Maine Department of Education makes digital learning opportunities available to all Maine students
AUGUSTA – Registration is now open for online Advanced Placement courses provided at no cost to the state’s public school students by the Maine Department of Education.
As part of its commitment to providing digital learning opportunities to all Maine students, the Department’s AP4ALL program allows all publicly funded high school students access to the year-long online Advanced Placement courses and covers the cost of associated books and materials.
The courses can help prepare students to take AP exams, which many post-secondary institutions including those in the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System typically offer college credit for.
“Quality digital learning breaks down the barriers of geography and limited financial and human resources and provides students greater access to engaging educational experiences that can help them realize their full potential,” said Acting Maine Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin. “By offering online Advanced Placement courses at no charge, the Maine DOE is ensuring equal access for all Maine high school students to challenging, college-level courses that will help them be better prepared for success in their post-secondary studies and careers.”
Since 2007 when the Department started the program, AP4ALL has grown from six courses to the 22 being offered for the 2015-16 academic year that starts next September, including AP Computer Science, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History.
Students who participate in AP4ALL are taught by Maine certified teachers who receive extensive training not only in their specific AP content area, but also in effective online teaching.
Leveraging the power of technology to provide rigorous and relevant student-centered learning has been a priority of the LePage Administration. Through AP4ALL, students have the flexibility to participate in course activities anytime and from anywhere, though there are scheduled due dates and deadlines for completing assignments and activities.
Students interested in enrolling should contact the AP4ALL mentor at their school, who will review with them and their parent/guardian the rigor of Advanced Placement coursework and online learning before moving forward with registration, which must be completed by the school.
Space is limited to 20 students per course. After the initial registration period has ended on March 31, if more than 20 students are registered for any course, a random drawing will be made to select those who will be enrolled. Students whose registrations are not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and depending on circumstances, the Maine DOE may consider adding additional sections in oversubscribed subject areas. If fewer than 20 students are enrolled in any course by March 31, registrations will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis throughout the summer and up until Sept. 1, the first day that courses are scheduled to start.
To learn more about AP4ALL and view the complete list of available 2015-16 online Advanced Placement courses, visit www.ap4all.org.
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