New Jersey Assembly Bill A929

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24
• Refer: 9/23/24

Caption

Requires public institution of higher education to provide academic credit for certain examinations.

Impact

This bill aims to standardize the recognition of advanced academic achievements in high school, potentially encouraging more students to participate in advanced placement and college-level programs. By ensuring that public institutions adhere to a clear policy regarding academic credit for these examinations, it might increase accessibility to college-level learning for high school students. Institutions are also required to publicly post their policies regarding this credit system, which enhances transparency regarding academic requirements and student achievements.

Summary

Assembly Bill A929 mandates that public institutions of higher education in New Jersey must award academic credit for students who achieve specific scores on advanced placement examinations and college-level examination program assessments. Specifically, students must earn a score of three or above on advanced placement exams or a score of 50 or higher on college-level examination program assessments. To be eligible for credit, students must be pursuing an associate or baccalaureate degree and must have completed the relevant examination or course while in grades 9 through 12.

Contention

One notable aspect of the bill includes the provision that the Secretary of Higher Education may exempt certain institutions from the standardized requirements on a case-by-case basis. This could lead to variability in how different institutions apply these credit policies, potentially introducing complexity into the credit transfer process for students. Such exemptions may also trigger debates regarding fairness and consistency across the state's educational institutions.