----Press release from the College Board AP Program----
The Advanced Placement Program® is happy to share with you the tremendous news that Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner last week signed into law HB 3428, legislation requiring all Illinois public colleges and universities to award credit to students who submit scores of 3 and higher on AP® Exams. This applies to entering freshmen at Illinois public institutions of higher education beginning in the fall of 2016.
This new policy will ensure that Illinois students receive the college credits they can earn as a result of their hard work in AP. At a time when AP participation and performance has increased significantly in the state, this law provides more students with a greater opportunity to graduate from college on time.
Our community — including educators, students, and families — played a critical role throughout the legislative process. We appreciate those of you who contacted elected officials expressing support for this important initiative. Your voices clearly were heard, as reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan support the bill received.
We are also grateful for the leadership of the bipartisan group of public officials who worked for this result, including Governor Rauner and the bill's authors: Representatives Carol Sente (Vernon Hills) and Mike Fortner (West Chicago) and Senator Pat McGuire (Crest Hill).
Graduates of the class of 2016 who attend Illinois public institutions of higher education will be the first students to benefit from this new law. We appreciate your unique role, as AP educators, in ensuring that students and parents in your community are aware of this exciting news.
Sincerely,
Advanced Placement Program