Amends GS 115C-12(9)c1 to require that the annually issued “report card” for the state and each local school administrative unit (local unit) include measures of student performance and participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Enacts GS 115C-83.1, Advance Placement courses, to declare the intent of the state to make AP courses more accessible to all students and to encourage students to enroll in AP courses. Provides strategies to be implemented to achieve the goal of increasing student enrollment in AP courses.
Appropriates $11,660,921 for 2012-13 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction. Directs the State Board of Education to use the appropriated funds to provide (1) incentive funding to local units to be distributed to teachers of AP courses, (2) funds to local units to pay AP testing fees, and (3) funds to local units for professional development for teachers of AP courses. Specifies that $7,179,834 be used to pay for fees for testing in AP courses; $2,981,087 be used for teacher bonuses; and $1.5 million be used for professional development for teachers in AP courses. Provides additional conditions on the allocation of the portion of the appropriation for funding AP course testing fees.
Effective July 1, 2012, and applies beginning with the 2012-13 school year.