Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) yesterday presented legislation that allows Minnesota schools to implement Cambridge International Assessment course and exam options as a way for students to gain college credit in high school classrooms. Minnesota schools currently offer Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs as options for students. 

Much like AP and IB courses, Cambridge International would provide credit by exam courses that count towards college credit. It is currently the only program of study in the US with credit by exam that originated from a renowned higher education institution. The first US school to adopt this program began teaching the curriculum in 1995, and the program has since then rapidly expanded to 35 states. This bill will expand learning options for students across the state. 

“This bill gives Minnesota students more options to receive college credit for courses taken in high school classrooms and serves as another way to prepare them for higher education, not to mention save them thousands of dollars. Schools will be able to implement this program at a district and local level as they see fit. Lakeville has already seen excellent success with their AP programs, and this bill gives schools another tool in their kit to train their students,” said Duckworth. 

AP courses are available in 230 out of 445 Minnesota high schools, and there are 79 IB programs offered in Minnesota. 45,958 students in the state took at least one AP exam, increasing 1.3% from last year, demonstrating a clear market for dual enrollment options in Minnesota schools. 
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Education committee’s final omnibus bill.