Advanced Placement Courses: Do Prohibitive Costs Exclude Financially Disadvantaged Students?

Abstract

This case addresses the guarantee of a free public education for all students, and focuses specifically on how the requirement that students purchase their own books and supplies for advanced placement courses affects the promise of equal educational opportunity. Although there is no correlation between wealth and intellectual ability, financially disadvantaged students may feel compelled not to enroll in advanced placement courses because of their inability to pay. This de facto denial of access threatens the fundamental promise of free public education. Restrictive costs related to advanced placement courses perpetuate an education system that cultivates opportunity only for those who can afford it.