The Department of Education has dispersed a total of $28.4 million in grants across 38 states to help low-income students take Advanced Placement exams for the benefit of their career and college readiness.

In schools that are helped by the grant money, low-income students are able to take AP exams for $12 or lower, according to 9News.com, which amounts to up to $29 in fee reduction.

In its second year, the grants have thus far proven to get more low-income children enrolled in AP courses. Before the program was started, 768,772 low-income students across the country took AP courses as compared to 831,913 that did the year after.

"In the 2014-15 school year, states that received money under this program saw an increase of seven percent in advanced placement test participation by low income students," the article said.

By taking AP courses, students are able to receive college credit in high school, therefore reducing the time and the cost of a postsecondary degree and in turn helping with students college and career preparedness.

The grant money is part of the Obama administration's My Brother’s Keeper Task Force, which seeks to equalize opportunity for low-income students throughout the United States.

"The Obama Administration’s commitment to equity in education underlies nearly every significant activity of the Education Department—from programs focused on early learning to college affordability and tools for reducing student debt...By expanding access to college-level courses, more low-income students are able to graduate high school with the tools they need to excel in college and beyond," said Knoe.com.

Read the full article here and comment with your thoughts below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

08/13/2015