Bill > S1082

This bill, known as the Accelerated Learning Act of 2013, aims to boost student academic achievement by promoting Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, which are rigorous, postsecondary-level courses that can earn students college credit. The bill proposes to increase the number of qualified teachers in high-need schools, which are schools with a significant number of low-income students or specific rural designations, who can teach these advanced courses. It also seeks to increase student enrollment and success in AP and IB courses and exams, particularly for low-income students, by providing grants to states to help cover examination fees. Furthermore, the bill supports state and local efforts to expand the availability of AP, IB, and preparatory courses in high-need schools and mandates high-quality professional development for teachers of these programs. The funding distribution prioritizes grants for examination fee reimbursement and then for other incentive programs, with authorization for necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2014 through 2018.