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Cash Fails To Improve AP Test Scores

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The Associated Press

Published: August 22, 2008

NEW YORK - A privately funded initiative that pays students in some New York City high schools up to $1,000 for passing Advanced Placement tests is not making the grade, critics say.

Students at the 31 schools participating in the program called Rewarding Achievement, or REACH, took 345 more tests this year than last year. But the passing rate dropped slightly, from 35 percent in 2007 to 32 percent this year, according to results released Wednesday.

A total of 1,161 students passed 1,476 Advanced Placement exams, earning $500 each time they scored a 3, the lowest passing mark. They received $750 for each score of 4, and $1,000 for each top score of 5.

Nearly $1 million was given to the students and another $500,000 to the participating schools.
Advanced Placement tests are offered in various subjects; students who pass them earn college credits.

Edward Rodriguez, executive director of REACH, called New York's cash-for-scores program a success.

But Pedro Noguera, a professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, said he was surprised the test scores didn't jump.

The program is funded by the Pershing Square Foundation, a charity affiliated with hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management.

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