Maine Department of Education Opens Registration To All Maine High School Students For Free Online AP Classes

*The offering of free Advanced Placement courses through AP4ALL is another way the Maine Department of Education provides digital learning opportunities to all Maine students*

AUGUSTA, Maine - Student registration is now open for free online Advanced Placement courses that will start next September. As part of its commitment to providing digital learning opportunities to all Maine students, the Maine Department of Education's AP4ALL program allows all high school students who are educated at the public expense access to the year-long online Advanced Placement courses. The Department also covers the cost of books and materials. Since 2007 when the Department started the program, AP4ALL has grown from six courses to the 22 being offered for the 2014-15 academic year, which include AP Computer Science, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History. Students who participate in AP4ALL are taught by Maine certified teachers who receive extensive training not only in their specific AP content area, but also in effective online teaching.

"By offering online Advanced Placement courses at no charge, AP4ALL provides equity of access to demanding, college-level courses for all Maine high school students, regardless of where they live and the limits of resources available in their local school," said Maine DOE Commissioner Jim Rier. Facilitating multiple pathways for learner achievement -including expanded learning options- is a core priority of the Maine DOE's student-centered strategic plan for education in the state. Through AP4ALL, students have the flexibility to participate in course activities anytime and from anywhere they have an internet connection, though there are scheduled due dates and deadlines for completing assignments and activities. Students interested in enrolling should contact the AP4ALL mentor at their school, who will review with them and their parent/guardian the rigor of Advanced Placement coursework and online learning before moving forward with registration, which must be completed by the school.

Enrollment will be capped at 20 students per course. After the initial registration period has ended on March 31, if more than 20 students are registered for any course, a random drawing will be made to select those who will be enrolled. Students whose registrations are not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and depending on circumstances, the Maine DOE may consider adding additional sections in oversubscribed subject areas. If fewer than 20 students are enrolled in any course by March 31, registrations will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis throughout the summer and up until Sept. 2, the first day that courses are scheduled to start.

To learn more about AP4ALL and view the complete list of available 2014-15 online Advanced Placement courses, visit http://www.ap4all.org