Rhode Island will get $45,248 in federal funding to help low-income students take Advanced Placement exams.
The U.S. Department of Education announced a round of grants for more than 30 states on Wednesday. Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire were also among the states receiving funding.
The grant amounts were based on state estimates of how many AP tests would be taken by low-income students. Federal officials said the program is intended to pay for all but $12 of the cost of each test, although states can require students to pay more.
AP courses are often held up as an example of the kinds of programs high schools should offer to more students to make sure they are well prepared for college.
While the number of students taking AP tests has grown in Rhode Island over the last decade, the state has struggled to reach passing rates that match other states in New England. Rhode Island also has fewer minority and low-income students taking AP tests compared with white students, according to data from the College Board, which administers the tests.
