(a)
The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:
(1)
Advanced placement courses, for which school credit is awarded, provide rigorous academic coursework opportunities for high school pupils and help to improve the overall curriculum at schools where those courses are provided.
(2)
The successful completion of advanced placement courses and the subsequent advanced placement examinations, which are conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board and for which college credit is awarded, provide a cost-effective means for high school pupils to obtain college-level coursework experience.
(3)
To the extent economically
disadvantaged pupils are provided financial assistance to take advanced placement examinations, they will be provided with successful college-level experience and be encouraged to pursue postsecondary education opportunities.
(b)
The Superintendent shall annually update the information on advanced placement available on the department’s Internet Web site to include current information on the various means available to school districts to offer or access advanced placement courses, including online courses. The Superintendent shall annually communicate with high schools that offer advanced placement courses in fewer than five subjects, and inform them of the various options for making advanced placement courses and other rigorous courses available to pupils who may benefit from them.