Marion legislator introduces bill to continue funding

Sen. Swati Dandekar, D-Marion, introduced a bill last month that would make Advanced Placement courses available online for Iowa high school students.

If this sounds familiar, that's because such a program already exists.

The Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy was established in 2001 to deliver AP courses to high school students across the state, especially those in rural and small school districts. Just last week, Iowa Department of Education officials credited the academy for the continued increase of Iowa students participating in AP classes.

What they didn't say is that the academy has exhausted its funding.

“We are out of funding,” said Clar Baldus, an administrator with the University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center. “The bill is really a support of what we've been doing.”

An initial technology grant of $1.6 million was awarded to the center in 2001 by the state education department to aid in increasing student participation in AP courses.

This was followed by $3.49 million in grant extensions from the U.S. Department of Education to continue and expand this program through 2006. The Belin-Blank Center later received $1.4 million from the federal department to maintain academy support for rural Iowa schools through 2010.

Dandekar proposed Senate File 85 to provide appropriations for the academy. The bill includes an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) classes.

“We have been pushing for STEM education for some time,” Dandekar said. “When the budgets are tight, like they are now, it's important to include this focus, make it part of the proposal.”

This doesn't mean other AP classes, such as those that focus on literature or history, will fall by the wayside.

“There is a need to focus on STEM, but not to the exclusion of other courses,” Baldus said.

Almost 350 Iowa high schools are registered with the Iowa Online AP Academy. Nearly 10,000 students have been served since 2001. The academy covers the costs for online AP courses - $350 for tuition and support - for participating students.

Students from 61 Iowa school districts took AP courses through the academy during the 2009-10 school year.

Despite the program's emphasis on reaching out to Iowa's rural students, Baldus said the academy is utilized by the state's urban districts, too.

"A lot of our bigger schools make use of the exam review,” she said.

The academy also offers training programs for teachers to gain the necessary skills and information to teach AP classes on-site.

Students at Edgewood-Colesburg have participated in the Iowa Online AP Academy for several years. The number of students who take the classes each year varies by interest and availability.

“It offers students another option,” said Dawn Voss, principal at Edgewood-Colesburg High School. “If we want these kids to think and participate at a higher level, why wouldn't we open the door if they are ready for it?”

Some Iowa high schools could make up for the loss through partnerships with local community colleges. Kirkwood Community College offers college-ready students a variety of ways to earn college credit while they're still in high school, but convenience remains a factor.

Proximity isn't an issue with online AP classes, Dandekar said, adding that Belin-Blank has a contract with schools in China, giving their students access to AP classes.

"Iowa students need to have the same opportunities as students in other countries, especially when you consider the academy is in our own backyard,” Dandekar said. “Those who take AP courses are very successful in college … and that's important to me.”