Bill > S2536

This bill requires all public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to create and publish written policies for accepting Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores of 3, 4, and 5 to satisfy degree requirements. Institutions must clearly specify how these scores can be applied toward general education, major, or elective credits, and outline how these credits can be transferred between institutions. While institutions can require a score higher than 3 for credit, they must provide evidence that a higher score is necessary for student success in more advanced courses. The Department of Higher Education will develop guidance for justifying higher score requirements and create a standard form for submitting such evidence. Institutions must post their AP credit policies on their websites and submit these policies to the Department of Higher Education, which will also publish them online. The board of higher education will conduct an annual review of these policies, examining the evidence for any scores above 3, and submit a report to legislative representatives by July 1 each year. The first annual report is to be published by July 1, 2026, and the department will determine the implementation date, which must be no later than one year after the bill's enactment.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Higher Education (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2536