Illinois Inches Closer To Dumbing Down AP Standards For Public Universities: Test Score of 3 May Become The New "Pass" on AP Exams

The Chicago Tribune reports:

The AP testing program awards students whose knowledge has surpassed the high school level, and can save them time and money in college because they don't have to pay to take the equivalent courses.

But college standards for granting credit for AP tests vary widely. The tests are scored on a 5-point scale, but while some colleges and universities will award credit for scores as low as 2, others require the top score of 5 in certain subjects, according to the College Board, which administers the program. At some schools, the standards vary by subject, while the University of Illinois has different thresholds for different campuses.

To standardize the criteria, lawmakers are considering passing a law to require public universities and colleges in Illinois to give course credit for scores of 3 or better.

The idea met resistance from higher education officials who feared it would lower academic standards, and a similar bill died in the legislature last year. But this year, the proposal appears to be gaining momentum.

The state House passed the measure by an overwhelming, bipartisan 90-22 vote. Last week, the Senate higher education committee approved the bill unanimously. It is expected to go before the Senate for a vote this week.

But higher education officials fear that requiring them to give blanket credit for AP tests would unacceptably lower academic standards.

The sad moments of government run education.