SECTION 74.29. Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program

(a) Purpose. The Texas advanced placement incentive program is created to recognize and reward students, teachers, and schools that demonstrate success in achieving the educational goals of the state. An award or a subsidy granted under this section shall be for the public purpose of promoting an educated citizenry.

(b) Types of awards.

(1) A school participating in the program shall be eligible to receive the following awards:

(A) a one-time, $3,000 equipment grant for providing a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course, based on need as determined by the commissioner of education;

(B) up to $100 for each student who receives a score of three or better on a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate test; and

(C) up to $450 to reimburse a teacher or pay for a teacher to complete approved College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate training.

(2) A teacher who teaches a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course shall be eligible to receive the following awards:

(A) a one-time award of $250 for teaching a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course for the first time; and

(B) a share of the teacher bonus pool proportional to the number of courses taught that shall be distributed by the teacher's school. Fifty dollars may be deposited in the teacher bonus pool for each student enrolled in the school who receives a score of three or better on a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate test.

(3) A student who receives a score of three or better on a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate test may receive a reimbursement of up to $65 for the advanced placement or International Baccalaureate testing fee. The reimbursement shall be reduced by the amount of any subsidy awarded by the College Board or International Baccalaureate or under subsection (e) of this section.

(c) Award adjustment. The commissioner of education shall adjust and prorate by category the sum and number of awards to ensure the purpose of the program is realized.

(d) Application for, and use of, awards.

(1) To obtain an award, a school or teacher must submit to the State Board of Education (SBOE) a written application in a form, manner, and time prescribed by the commissioner of education.

(2) A school must give priority to academic enhancement purposes in using any award received under this section. An award may not be used for any purpose relating to athletics.

(3) The principal of each school participating in the program shall convene, at least annually, a team composed of not more than five members, with not fewer than three teachers, to include at least one teacher participating in the program and at least one teacher who teaches students in preparation for their participation in the program, for the purpose of determining the use of funds awarded under subsection (b) of this section.

(e) Subsidies for College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate tests.

(1) A student is entitled to a subsidy for the fee he or she pays to take a College Board advanced placement or International Baccalaureate test if the student demonstrates financial need according to guidelines adopted by the College Board.

(2) The Texas Education Agency (TEA), with SBOE approval, may pay each eligible applicant an equal amount of up to $25.

(f) Funding of awards and subsidies.

(1) An award or a subsidy granted under this section is subject to the availability of funds. An award or a subsidy may be funded by donations, grants, or legislative appropriations.

(2) The commissioner of education may solicit and receive a grant or donation for the purpose of making awards under this section. The TEA shall account for and distribute any donation, grant, or legislative appropriation.

(3) The TEA shall apply to the program any available funds from its appropriations that may be used for this purpose.

(4) An application for funding may be filed with TEA at a date determined by the commissioner of education.

Source Note: The provisions of this §74.29 adopted to be effective September 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4311; amended to be effective September 1, 2001, 25 TexReg 7691; amended to be effective August 24, 2010, 35 TexReg 7211