College Board and International Baccalaureate Updates - COVID-19

April 15, 2020

Dear AP/IB/CIE Coordinators,

Thank you so much for all you are doing for the students in North Carolina's public schools!  Below are updates for our Advanced Placement Programs and International Baccalaureate Programmes in NC. 

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Update from College Board- NC AP Partnership

In the weeks leading up to the start of AP testing on May 11, we want to ensure you have the information you need to continue helping your students prepare to take this year's exam.

We have identified 3 of the most critical actions you and your AP Coordinators can take in the coming days to help students and teachers.

1. Assist Students with AP Exam Access & Support

Please partner with us to ensure that AP students feel ready to take the AP Exam in May and are equipped to experience online AP Exam testing.

• AP Exams will take place May 11-22, with make-up exams June 1-5. The AP Exam schedule and details about each individual AP Exam, including supports of LIVE AP Class Review Sessions and the My AP Classroom practices can be found here: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/ap-exam-schedule 
• Help students work through the remaining course content and/or encourage them to participate in live online classes and review sessions.
• Let your students know about the technology they'll need to test and have them, or a caring adult, contact us by April 24 if they need devices or connectivity.
• Later this month, we’ll provide AP students and educators with information on how to access the testing system on test day, and video demonstrations so that students can familiarize themselves with the system. You can read more about the exams HERE

2. Indicate AP Student Fee Reduction Status

The state of NC is facing an unprecedented budget shortfall, making it more critical than ever this year that AP Coordinators identify students who meet demonstrated financial need. College Board provides a $32 fee reduction per exam for students with financial need.

For more information and eligibility criteria, click HERE. The deadline for indicating student status has been extended to May 26^th.

To indicate fee reduction status in your AP exam order, AP Coordinators should:

1. Login to APRO at https://myap.collegeboard.org/login

2. Select “Students” tab on your screen near top right.

3. For any student that is eligible for fee reduction, switch their AP Fee Status from “Standard” to “Reduced” on the AP Fee Status column. Note: This fee reduction status is indicated only once per student, not for each exam.

3. Register your Teachers for AP Summer Institute Scholarships

As with so many events, we have had to cancel several NC AP Partnership events this spring, which has freed up funds to allow for more APSI scholarships. As of now, APSIs are still proceeding, and all district caps have been lifted and you may register as many teachers as you want for an AP Summer Institute through a NC AP Partnership scholarship.  Some institutes may be held virtually, and we will share that information as we are made aware. District contacts should have received emails with registration instructions in early March. If you need those instructions resent, please email NCScholarships@collegeboard.org

Questions? Please contact Kathleen Koch, Senior Director with the NC AP Partnership.

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Updates from International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

NEW- Joint statement from NCDPI and the IBO for our North Carolina community:

“During this time of uncertainty, we want to be mindful of the stress we are placing on students and families. While all students should be encouraged to complete their coursework so that they can be celebrated for the hard work they have put into their IB courses over the past two years, schools should know that if there is a student who receives an N for the coursework, the school will not be invoiced for that student this year. NCDPI and the IB will collaborate to finalize plans regarding the few students who may be further adversely affected and receive an N during this time.”

REMINDERS:

• The deadline of April 20 (or April 30 for some arts coursework) is preferred for all schools to upload their work to ensure results by July 5.
• However, schools can request extensions for individual components or subjects directly with the IBO by emailing IB Answers on support@ibo.org to request an extension. Please note that results cannot be guaranteed on July 5 where extensions are given, which may result in a pending (P) grade on results release day.
• The MYP Personal Project deadline is extended to May 20.
• Questions? Please send an email to support@ibo.org and cc: Laura Lane, IB World Schools Manager.

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Thank you for everything you are doing to ensure learning continues for our students in North Carolina's Public Schools!  Beth Cross, NCDPI State Consultant, Advanced Learning and Gifted Education