STATEHOUSE (Feb. 16, 2010) - A Senate committee vote is expected Wednesday on a bill requiring Indiana’s public colleges and universities to give academic credit for high scores on advanced placement (AP) exams, according to State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn).

Members of the Senate Committee on Education are expected to consider possible amendments and vote on House Bill 1135 at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Room 233 of the Statehouse.

Kruse, sponsor of the House Bill 1135, said he has worked with the Indiana Department of Education, state universities and the Indiana Higher Education Commission on details of the bill. Kruse said there is disconnect between public universities and the K-12 community on how AP credits should be applied.

Kruse, chair of the committee, said many K-12 students, parents and teachers feel AP credits should automatically be included in a students’ degree program. However, Kruse said Indiana’s public universities are concerned that some AP courses do not meet the rigorous major requirements such as those in the chemistry and engineering fields.

“I believe lawmakers and the educational community can come to a compromise on this legislation where students can be rewarded for their academic performance and our state universities have the ability to apply the credits fairly and appropriately,” Kruse said.

Currently, the decision to accept students’ AP exam scores for academic credits is left up to the state’s higher education institutions.

For the 2009 AP exams taken in May by students in grades 9-12, Indiana had the third highest increase in the country for students taking an AP exam over the previous year - including the second highest increase for Hispanics and the fifth highest for African Americans nationwide.

The College Board, which administers the AP program in Indiana and other states, offers 33 courses and exams across multiple subject areas. Each course is developed by a committee composed of college faculty and AP teachers, and covers information, skills and assignments found in the corresponding college course.

Kruse said AP examinations are given each year in May and test students’ ability to perform at a college level. A score of three, four or five on a scale of 1 to 5 is considered satisfactory by the College Board.

To watch proceedings online please visit www.in.gov/Senator.Kruse, click on the watch and listen tab and view proceedings in Room 233.

Kruse represents Senate District 14, which includes portions of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties.