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[quote=Anonymous]This was discussed at a recent BOE meeting. The MD Blueprint currently requires the exam fees to be covered for all test-takers. MCPS is hoping to have the rules changed so that it becomes a needs-based system.

"Currently, no adjustments have been made to the Blueprint requirement that school systems
cover the costs of AP and IB courses, including end-of-year exams. There is no limit on the 
number of exams a College and Career Ready student may take, and no eligibility requirements 
for families to receive exam fee coverage. In 2025, the AP exam fee was $90 per exam, the AP 
Capstone exam was $138 per exam, and the IB exam was $124 per exam. In FY25 
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent more than $4.2 million on AP and IB exams. 
Looking just at AP courses, of the 48,252 exams for which MCPS paid the associated fee in 
FY25, only 9,201 of those exams were taken by students who are eligible for free and reduced-
price meals assistance. This accounts for approximately 19% of the exams purchased. The 
amount MCPS spends on AP/IB exams increases year after year. Currently, MCPS estimates 
that it will spend $5.5 million, or more, on these exams in FY26. 
In light of the critical need for equitable access and the documented financial disparities across 
Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Board of Education is interested in 
exploring ways to curtail costs associated with AP/IB exams by utilizing a needs-based 
system that will allow our families with the greatest need access to these programs for 
free, while other families would pay a portion or all of the costs depending on income."

[url]https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DKXHQV49A7CE/$file/Legislative%20Platform%202026_adopted%208.21.25.pdf[/url][/quote]

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