Students who are ambitious and take AP courses take a final exam during May. The exam costs 40 dollars which is given back to the student later on. However, this year funding has been taken out from AP exams leaving students paying a price of 99 dollars or more. Students who do the free lunch form reduce it to 62 dollars.
Funding is determined by how many students are attending school each year. Each student is worth 4,000 to 11,000 dollars. This year our school received 29 million in funding and these funds are what pay the staff and other activities such as clubs and trips. Fundings is given from either federal, state, or grants.
“It’s a group of teachers led by Principal Heather Adelle who decide where the money goes.” Assistant Principal of Finances, Jon Messinger said.
Education
So why is John Dewey High School facing cuts if we received one million dollars more this year? The one million dollar difference was based on needing more money for the teacher salary due to the contract which gave more money to the teachers. While asking how Mr. Messinger feels about this year’s funding he replies “At the moment nervous” and laughs timidly.
So what was cut in the budget? Technology and things teachers use were cut so that students would be less affected. The AP exam was cut because educators felt that wasn’t as important as other things such as pens and paper for students. The group decided that students need pens and paper more because they would learn and without them students would just be on their phones.
With AP exams and college courses not funded by the school, students are faced with both emotional and financial difficulties. “I feel frustrated especially this year because it’s more expensive, even though I do have the lunch form, it’s still expensive. With low income families like mine, it’s a bit of a struggle to provide enough money and is worse if you’re taking more AP’s.” 12th grade student, Mindy Zou said.
Students feel as though this new exam pricing may unmotivate them and prevent them from taking any future AP classes, “This policy will further make students from schools like Dewey who come from underprivileged backgrounds think that education may not be for them but rather for those who can afford it,” expressed current AP student Nazifa Nubah.
But students aren’t the only ones affected by this sudden change. AP teacher Nicholas Barkley expressed that he is also facing challenges trying to support students who cannot afford the exam. “Students should be focused on passing exams, not paying for exams.”
“Since the AP for all program is not funded anymore, there should be another program for AP tutoring and studying materials.” Kimberly Savino, Psychology teacher, said.
She spoke that the college courses should be funded by the state or at least be met halfway. She hoped that these funding cuts would not discourage the students from taking the AP exams. When Mrs. Savino found that last year funding was 28 million and this year’s funding is 29 million she was surprised. “ Wow! I thought it would be higher.”
Regardless of this change, teachers and staff have been encouraging students to sell chocolates to raise money for their overwhelming exam fees. Students and teachers alike are relieved that there is a compromise for those who can’t afford the cost of AP exams.
“I think it’s insane!” Sam Callis, History teacher said with his eyebrow raised up and his eyes widened. As of October 29, 2024, an email was sent to all students taking AP exams informing them that the fee policy has been updated and reduced. The new fee students will be paying is $43 and is non refundable. Before the update, AP Seminar had its own pricing which was significantly higher than other classes. But now it’s the same as others, making it more affordable and fair.
