Youth advisory members press for clearer outreach on AP test cost and dual‑enrollment options

Members of the St. Mary’s County Youth Advisory Commission used their March 4 meeting to press for clearer communication to students about paying for Advanced Placement exams and about dual‑enrollment options that provide college credit.

The commission’s discussion opened after members reported hearing that a state house bill under consideration would require counties to pay for AP exams and then seek state reimbursement; one member described it as, “AP tests are completely free next year,” while noting the measure had not yet passed. Joshua Guy, a commission member who said he contacted the school system, relayed that a Board of Education staffer told him families eligible for FARMS (Free and Reduced Meal Services) often can get funding to cover the test: “She mentioned … FARMS helps the students,” Guy said.

Why it matters: Members said uncertainty about exam costs is causing some students to opt out of AP courses or tests. Commission members and staff flagged two problems: (1) some students and families do not know FARMS can cover AP test fees, and (2) counselors and teachers may not be consistently telling eligible students about the option. That combination can function as a deterrent for students who might otherwise take advanced courses and pursue college credit.

At the meeting members discussed immediate outreach options. Marsha Greenberg, a staff member, advised the commission to pursue both peer outreach and system‑level fixes: “You as students could advise the superintendent … to ensure that the teachers of AP classes and therefore their students know what their options are,” Greenberg said. Members agreed it would be useful to notify AP teachers and school counselors directly and to consider broader public messaging (a webpage, blog, or short app notification) so students who do not follow meeting recordings can learn the options.

Commissioners also discussed dual‑enrollment and Access CSM (College of Southern Maryland) offerings. Members reported CSM’s access programs allow juniors and seniors to take college courses for credit either on the college campus or within their high school schedule; eligibility was described as typically tied to a minimum GPA (members said 2.5 was cited at a recent CSM presentation). A speaker at the meeting said Access CSM students who qualify through FARMS may pay nothing and that other students pay a subsidized per‑class fee (meeting remarks cited approximately $170 to the student after subsidy, though members also described that figure as illustrative from the admissions presentation).

What the commission will do next: Members asked to place discussion of outreach and a potential invitation to a CSM enrollment representative on the next agenda so the body can consider a short, accessible public notice and whether to invite a CSM official to present about Access CSM and dual‑enrollment. A commission member volunteered to attend advocacy events in Annapolis and report back on state developments.

Ending: Commissioners said they want both short‑term outreach (teachers/counselors notifications and social/web posts) and longer‑term clarity tied to any state legislation that would change who pays AP exam fees. The commission planned to continue the discussion at its May meeting and consider inviting a school‑system or CSM representative to present.