Providing online AP courses to students in Maine
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is AP4ALL? AP4ALL is a Maine Department of Education program which provides online Advanced Placement courses for no charge to Maine public high school students residing in a Maine school administrative unit who are educated at the public expense. By offering AP courses online at no charge, AP4ALL provides equity of access to rigorous and challenging coursework for students regardless of where they live and the limits of resources available in their local school.
Q. Who can enroll in AP4ALL courses? In order for a student to be eligible to participate in AP4ALL at no charge, under the appropriation for General Purpose Aid for Local Schools (based on the EPS Funding Act), they must meet the definition of subsidizable pupils under 20-A MRSA Section 15672(32):
32. Subsidizable pupils. “Subsidizable pupils” means all school level pupils who reside in a school administrative unit and who are educated at public expense at a public school or at a private school approved for tuition purposes.
So, any student who resides in a Maine school administrative unit and is being educated at public expense in a public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes can enroll in an AP4ALL course free of charge. Other students may be enrolled in AP4ALL courses, but they will be charged tuition of $500.00, and will be responsible for the cost of necessary books and materials.
Q. How does registration work? It is expected that the school administrator registering the student will discuss both the rigor of Advanced Placement coursework and the challenges of online learning with the student, a parent/guardian, and the local Principal. After having this conversation, if it is agreed that registering the student in an AP4ALL course would be a beneficial educational experience for the student, then please proceed.
There is no limit to the number of students that any individual school can enroll in AP4ALL courses, but schools ARE limited to enrolling a maximum of 5 students in any one particular course. Please complete a separate registration form for each student you wish to register. An individual student may be registered for a maximum of two (2) AP4ALL courses per school year.
The initial registration period was from 8:00 a.m. on March 20th through April 3rd at 5:00 p.m. Registrations will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until September 3, 2013. Enrollment will be capped at 20 students per course. Maine public high school students residing in a school administrative unit and who are being educated at public expense will be enrolled before non-Maine public high school students. Home-schooled students may participate in AP4ALL if they are registered through a local school administrative unit.
After the initial registration period ended on April 3rd, if more than 20 students were registered for any course, a random drawing was made to select those who will be enrolled in that course. Students whose registrations were not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and depending on circumstances, we may consider adding additional sections in oversubscribed subject areas.
After the initial registration period ended on April 3rd, if fewer than 20 students are enrolled in any course, registrations will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until September 3, 2013.
Note that if there were fewer than 20 students enrolled in any course on April 3rd, the registration of students from non-public Maine high schools may be considered at that time. Students enrolled from non-public Maine high schools will be required to pay a tuition fee of $500.00 plus the cost of books and materials. The school mentor position at a non-Maine public high school will not be funded, but it is expected that the registering school will recognize the importance of the school mentor role.
By the end of the day on Friday, April 5th, the status of student registrations was communicated to the individual who submitted the registration form. After registrations have been confirmed, additional information on specific courses – along with books and materials – will be distributed to enrolled students.
Q. Who pays for books and materials? AP4ALL covers the cost of books and materials for Maine public high school students residing in their local school administrative unit who are being educated at public expense.
Q. Can every student proceed at his or her own pace and schedule? Student-centered learning and encouraging collaboration among students is fostered within AP4ALL courses. Courses mostly operate on a weekly-scheduled basis, and although students have the flexibility to participate in course activities anytime 24/7, there are scheduled due dates and deadlines for completing assignments and activities.
Q. Who teaches AP4ALL courses? Students who participate in AP4ALL are taught by experienced Maine certified teachers who have received extensive training not only in their specific AP content area, but also in the pedagogy of effective online teaching.
Q. What are the responsibilities of a school that has student(s) enrolled in AP4ALL? Responsibilities include making sure that the student has appropriate access to technology requirements, scheduling time in the student’s school day dedicated to online studies, accepting and applying credit earned, registering and making arrangements for the student to take the AP exam, and providing a school mentor who will support the student’s needs to be successful.
Q. It’s AP exam time… now what? It is expected that the school will register their AP4ALL student(s) to participate in the AP exam just as they would any other students taking AP exams. AP4ALL does not pay AP exam fees, but depending on an individual student’s circumstances, they may be eligible for a discounted exam fee rate. Students should check with their guidance department regarding eligibility for this fee discount. Please note: AP4ALL’s online provider code is 120. We ask that students indicate this number on their test form in addition to their local school CEEB code. This will ensure that your students’ scores are reported to AP4ALL following the exam.
Q. What is the role of a school mentor? Each Maine public high school that registers students must supply an on-site school mentor who provides feedback to the teacher, keeps students on task, and ensures the integrity of student work.
Q. Does the school mentor need to be a licensed teacher? No, but they should be a school employee who is in the building every day.
Q. Are online Advanced Placement courses easier than face-to-face Advanced Placement courses? AP4ALL online AP courses are as rigorous, if not more rigorous, then traditional face-to-face courses.
Q. When do classes begin and end? AP4ALL classes are year-long online courses that run from the day after Labor Day (September 3, 2013) through one week after the scheduled date of the AP Exam for the course.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of students a school can enroll? There is no limit to the number of students a school can register in AP4ALL courses, but there is a maximum of 5 students that a school can enroll in any one particular course.
Q. Can home-schooled students participate? Home-schooled students may participate in AP4ALL if they are registered through a local school administrative unit.
Q. Can students from non-Maine public high schools participate? Yes, but they will be charged tuition of $500.00 and will be responsible the cost of necessary books and materials. In the case of a non-Maine public high school participating student, a school mentor stipend will not be paid. Also, non-Maine public high school students will only be enrolled if, after the March 22nd registration deadline, there are fewer than 20 Maine public high school students residing in a school administrative unit and who are being educated at public expense enrolled in a particular course.
Q Can a foreign “exchange” student participate at no cost? Yes. A Foreign “exchange” student who does not pay tuition and has the approval of the Superintendent under 20-A MRSA Section 5205, sub-section 2 is considered a resident of the school administrative unit and is educated at public expense. As such, they are counted as a resident for subsidy under the appropriation for General Purpose Aid for Local Schools and they may participate in AP4ALL at no charge.
Q Can foreign or non-Maine “tuition” students participate at no cost? No. A foreign or non-Maine student who pays tuition to attend a school in Maine is not educated at public expense and nor are they considered a resident of the school administrative unit. As such, they (or the school they are attending) would be charged tuition of $500.00, and would be responsible for the cost of necessary books and materials.
Q. Does AP4ALL have a grading scale? AP4ALL uses a numerical grading scale. Local schools will apply that grading scale toward their own student’s transcript. Student grades are provided to the school mentor on a quarterly basis, though detailed feedback and grades are available at any time during the school year.
Q. Are AP4ALL Advanced Placement courses approved through the College Board audit process? Yes. AP4ALL courses satisfy all College Board Advanced Placement course requirements.
Q. What skills do students need to succeed in an online class? Check out “Is online learning for you?” to learn more.
Q. What software/hardware is needed to participate in AP4ALL courses? A solid Internet connection and a browser are needed to connect to the AP4ALL Moodle site and communicate with fellow classmates and the teacher.
Q. How are students registered for AP4ALL courses? A separate registration form needs to be completed by a school administrator (e.g. Principal, Guidance counselor) for each student that a school wishes to enroll. See more on registering students for AP4ALL courses.
Q. Who should you contact if you still have questions? Please contact David Patterson, Maine Department of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, via email at david.patterson@maine.gov or phone 207 215-4150.