Arkansas Launches Computer Science Incentive Program

States continue to make investments to increase the number of students succeeding in advanced computer science course work.

This week, the Arkansas Department of Education announced the creation of the Arkansas Advanced Placement Computer Science A Incentive Program.

Between August 1, 2017, and May 30, 2018, Arkansas public school students who successfully complete an Advanced Placement® (AP®) Computer Science A course and receive a qualifying score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exam will receive a monetary reward from the state. The tiered rewards for students range from $250 for a qualifying exam score of 3, to $1,000 for a score of 5. Schools will also be rewarded with payments ranging from $50 to $250.

Thank you to Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key and Governor Asa Hutchinson for their leadership in the creation of the initiative and their support for AP computer science education.

Governor Hutchinson remarked, “The Arkansas Department of Education’s incentive for high scores on the AP Computer Science A Exam is a terrific way to reward our students for their hard work in school. The real payoff for their hard work, of course, is when they show their excellent transcripts to potential employers who offer good salaries for their skills.” In addition to potentially helping students in their future careers, AP students are more likely to enroll in college, stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate on time in four years. Students who succeed on AP Exams can also typically earn college credit for their work, saving them thousands of dollars in tuition.