Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Acceleration Programs Provide Benefits But the Costs Are Relatively Expensive

Report 06-24, March 2006




Report Summary

  • Over one-third of Florida's 2001-02 high school graduates participated in at least one acceleration program in high school, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Dual Enrollment courses. Half of these students gained college credit for these courses that they applied at a Florida public postsecondary institution. However, many students did not receive this credit because they did not earn needed grades, did not take or pass required examinations, or did not report the courses to their college.
  • Generally, accelerated credit hours that students received could be applied to their degree requirements. Students who graduated from college and who earned accelerated credits typically took 14 fewer credit hours at Florida's public universities than other students.
  • Overall, the state's costs for credit hours earned through the AP and IB programs exceed the costs of providing comparable classes at a state public postsecondary institution. However, while these programs are more expensive, they have many non-monetary benefits. Few other states subsidize AP and IB exams for all students and no states provide as much AP and/or IB incentive funding as Florida. There are several options the Legislature could consider to reduce acceleration program costs.


Related Reports
  1. University Students Benefit from Acceleration Courses, But Often Retake Math and Science Courses
    Report 09-30 June 2009
  2. More Than 17% of Acceleration Courses and Exams Do Not Result in College Credit, Which Costs State Almost $6 Million
    Report 09-21 March 2009
  3. Modifying Advanced Placement Program Incentive Funding Could Produce Significant Cost Savings
    Report 09-12 February 2009
  4. Student Participation in Acceleration Programs Has Increased; Legislature Has Taken Steps to Reduce Program Costs
    Report 08-70 December 2008
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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