Massachusetts Legislature approves funding boost to bring AP classes to underserved students

July 20, 2018 – Boston – The Massachusetts Legislature has approved an increase in state funding to administer Advanced Placement (AP) courses in STEM and English in Massachusetts schools.

The program’s funding in the new state budget for Fiscal Year 2019 was increased by $300,000, bringing it up to $2.89 million. The budget is now on to Governor Baker for his signature. The program supports partnerships between Mass Insight Education & Research and over 80 high schools across Massachusetts. The goals of the partnerships are to expand AP STEM and English classes and to increase enrollment and qualifying scores of historically underserved students. Funding for the program is also matched by $1,000,000 in private donations raised by Mass Insight.

“We’re extremely grateful for this extra vote of confidence from the Legislature,” said Dr. Susan F. Lusi, president and CEO of Mass Insight. “We’re dedicated to helping keep Massachusetts first in the nation in AP success by helping reach and inspire students who otherwise may not have an opportunity to take AP coursework.”

Since Mass Insight began its AP STEM and English program, it has reached over 23,000 students in high schools throughout Massachusetts. The program helps expand or jump start AP classes at high schools looking to provide more opportunity for their students. The net result has been higher academic achievement and better preparedness for college, sometimes at high schools that previously had small AP programs.