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Committee releases bill to standardize AP and CLEP credit at New Jersey public colleges
Summary
Assembly bill A929, which would require New Jersey public institutions to grant credit for certain AP and CLEP scores and publish consistent policies, was released by the Higher Education Committee after broad testimony in favor from educators, advocates and the College Board.
The Assembly Higher Education Committee voted to release Assembly bill A929 after supporters from K–12 districts, advocacy groups and the College Board testified that the measure would increase college affordability and equity by standardizing when public colleges award credit for AP and CLEP scores.
Witnesses said the bill sets predictable credit thresholds across the state's public institutions. Paula White of JerseyCAN said uniform credit policies ‘‘provide content transparency for students’’ and reduce the chance that credits are lost when students transfer between two- and four-year institutions. Melanie Schultz of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators said accepting scores of 3, 4 or 5 can save time and money for students and cited local articulation agreements where AP courses already count toward college credit.
Mike O’Sullivan of the College Board grounded the policy recommendation in research and data, noting that a score of 3 is widely accepted and that New Jersey recorded 34,642 AP scores of 3 in 2023–24. He said that distinguishing a clear credit policy could keep students in-state and improve equity: he cited higher shares of 3+ scores among low-income and Black students.
After testimony, the committee moved and recorded a roll-call vote releasing A929. The roll call named Assemblyman Scharffenberger, Assemblywoman Simmons, Assemblyman Miller, Assemblyman Wimberly, Assemblyman Atkins and Chairwoman Carter; all recorded yes votes and the bill was released from committee.
If enacted, A929 would require public institutions of higher education in New Jersey to provide academic credit for specified AP and CLEP scores and to post their policies publicly; the committee's release advances the bill to the next step in the legislative process.
