Raising college completion numbers continues to be a hot topic. Not earning a postsecondary degree is costly not only for the individual lacking the degree, but also for the government and taxpayers. In general, the more advanced degree the more earning power an individual has. Higher earnings translate into more taxes paid to the government and less reliance on taxpayer-funded supports, such as unemployment and other public income support programs.

To increase college completion, we must invest in reforms that boost high school graduation rates and increase college readiness. Jay Mathews recently wrote in his Washington Post column that the Advanced Placement program continues to be one of the most cost-effective ways to prepare students for the rigors of college.

Mathews cites multiple studies which show earning a qualifying score on an AP exam is correlated with future college success. His column builds a case for subsidizing exam fees for low-income students, but what he does not address is that investing in a strong AP program starts well before a student ever registers to take the AP exam.  

The quality of a district’s AP program depends on the quality of its Pre-AP program. Investing in teacher training and the time it takes to implement a linked, rigorous curriculum results in a cohesive AP program. While subsidies to the exam fees may enable more low-income students to take AP exams, if the district has not invested in the infrastructure to create a truly rigorous AP class experience, the ultimate payoff will be diminished.

Read Jay Mathews’ column here.