Minnesota pays to help high schoolers rack up college credits, but CLEP offer slow to catch on

Paul Tosto:

Pass a free exam. Get college credit.

Seems like a sweet deal for Minnesota high school students looking to save money on college. But after operating for more than a year, state education officials are finding a lot fewer takers than they expected for the College-Level Examination Program.

About 900 tests have been taken since the state began paying the exam fee in 2006 - far fewer than the 5,000 initially projected for last year and 7,500 hoped for this year.

Part of the problem, officials say, is that CLEP toils in the shadows of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and other better-known options for high school students trying to get a jump on college credit.

Another issue: While the tests are recognized by some 2,900 schools across the country, including the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities grants credit for only a few of the 34 CLEP exams and sets the bar for passing higher than other schools.

Despite low exam participation to date, officials say they're buoyed by the jump in student interest last year - particularly from schools in greater Minnesota - and are trying to spread the word to high schools and home-schoolers about the opportunity. This school year, students have until June 30 to take as many as six CLEP exams paid for by the state, with the only cost being an administrative fee that runs about $15 to $25 per test.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 11, 2008 8:01 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas