With a junior in high school, college is on the horizon. There are plenty of unknowns in my son’s next steps, but one thing I’m certain of is that he will be ready for the coursework ahead.
When I walked into Introduction to Psychology more than thirty years ago, I had to pause and catch my breath. There were over 500 students in the lecture hall. Asking a question felt intimidating, and the final exam was overwhelming. I didn’t yet have the academic skills—or the confidence—to navigate that environment.
My son does. His confidence is being built and refined in the AP and IB classes he takes now. I watch these courses push him to grow: learning how to take effective notes, managing his time and asking for help when he needs it. These are skills I didn’t develop until well into college.
This growth is not an accident. His teachers have been supported for years through the NC Advanced Placement Partnership (NCAPP), created in 2015. NCAPP provides professional development, curriculum support, and collaboration opportunities—critical in a state where many schools may have only one AP teacher per subject. The results speak for themselves: North Carolina students are making history with their AP performance.
Yet the funding that makes AP and IB exams accessible—and the partnership that supports teachers—is at risk. Starting as early as the 2026–27 school year, some lawmakers want to eliminate statewide funding for AP and IB exam fees and limit support to only students who meet the NC Department of Public Instruction’s definition of “economically disadvantaged.”
This fall, over 97,000 students in North Carolina are enrolled in AP courses. Each exam costs $99, a fee the state has covered for nearly a decade. For many families—especially those with multiple children or those who don't neatly fit DPI’s definition of economic disadvantage—paying for several exams is a real financial barrier. A student who takes AP courses takes on average two exams a year, in other words, eight during their time in high school. These costs add up quickly.
I worry about the ripple effects. If students can’t afford exam fees, fewer will enroll in AP and IB classes. Lower enrollment could jeopardize long-established programs statewide. Even students willing to pay may lose access if their schools can no longer offer the courses.
This is more than a line item in a budget—it’s an investment in North Carolina’s future workforce. NCAPP has expanded access for rural schools, increasing participation and performance in all eight regions of the state. Students here outperform national averages, and many earn college credits that save money, shorten time to degree, and help them enter the workforce sooner. According to the College Board, NC families potentially saved over $92 million last year from college credits and fees.
And while lawmakers consider cutting this support for all NC public high school students, it’s worth noting that just FOUR private schools received nearly $18 million, which is more state funding through the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program in a single year than the total amount proposed to be cut from AP and IB exams statewide.
What Can You Do?
Let your legislators know you oppose the cuts—especially the Conferees for SB 257, who are negotiating the final education budget. Use this customizable letter template; one click will send your message to all SB 257 Conferees.
The more we speak up, the better chance we have to protect this funding—and support every North Carolina student’s future.
