Public Schools

With the increasing challenge for students to afford a college degree, and the challenge for high schools to set the bar high and encourage students to strive for excellence, earning college credit in high school course is an attractive option that public schools would benefit from exploring.

Developed by College Board, the people behind AP® and SAT®, the College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP®) has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for more than 40 years.  Since CLEP does not include a curriculum component so schools are able to teach using the same methods and materials they always have. Teachers can simply make students aware that this program exists. If a teacher wanted, they could offer interested students a practice exam, or share test-specific study resources.

Maybe you are a parent that would like to see these type of offerings included in your student’s school? Send an email to your student’s teacher and share a link to this post.

Why Offer CLEP in Your Classroom?

Students are eager to make their efforts count.  Others will simply rise to the challenge.  For you, the teacher, there are several reasons why to offer CLEP exams:

  • Add value to your course, increasing student’s interest in learning the material.
  • Not an AP-level teacher or have an AP program at your school? Your course can now offer college-credit options.
  • Raise the level of student achievement by setting a goal to take the CLEP exam.
  • Retain your top achievers in high school with the option of earning college credit.
  • Teach the same content and rigor as you have always done.  Additional test prep can be assigned as an independent-study option.
  • Expand your course-for-college-credit offerings.  Of the 33 CLEP exams, 20 are in subjects above AP exam offerings.
  • Increase the confidence of an average student who would not normally consider taking an AP class but who now has tasted success after passing a CLEP exam.
  • Build stronger students – statistics show that students who earn college credit in high school outperform their peers in subsequent courses and tend to complete their degrees at a higher rate than students who do not earn credit-by-exam.
  • Increase enrollment with your current student body and those enrolled outside your school who are attracted to this opportunity.
  • Provide credit-earning opportunities to academically-gifted 9th and 10th grade students who may not AP-eligible.
  • Receive recognition for your efforts.

I (Cheri) have been a CLEP-advocate since 2006. My aim is to provide a bridge between institutional offerings and student awareness. I primarily work with homeschool families, though my husband is a public school math teacher. If you would like more information or ideas of how to offer students these opportunities, please contact me.