Learning Power: South Dakota Online AP Incentives Program provides $100 cash awards to students who complete designated Advanced Placement courses in math, science and English. Students must pass the end-of-course exam with a score of 3 or higher to qualify. Courses are available online at the South Dakota Virtual School on a first-come, first-serve basis.

View student testimonies

Just the basics

• Courses are offered free of charge. (Schools will cover cost of books.)
• Courses are rigorous. Students need to be properly prepared.
• Students must have the permission of their school to participate.
• Courses are taught by qualified instructors.
• Students must pass the exam with a score of 3 or higher to qualify for the incentive.
• Registration is through the South Dakota Virtual School.

What you need to know

Essential information: Students and parents

Essential information: School officials

Frequently asked questions

Sample Learning Power course syllabi

•  AP Calculus AB
•  AP English Language and Composition
•  AP English Literature and Composition
•  AP Physics B

Sample Learning Power course

Please use the following information to view the sample class. User name: vhs. Password: guest-2008.

Who is behind Learning Power

Learning Power is funded by a grant from the National Math and Science Initiative through support from Exxon-Mobil. It is led by the South Dakota Collaborative for Advanced Placement whose members represent the following:

• Office of the Governor
• South Dakota Department of Education
• South Dakota Virtual School
• Technology and Innovation in Education
• South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Northern State University E-learning Center
• Black Hills State University Center for Advancement of Mathematics and Science
• South Dakota Science and Technology Authority/Sanford Laboratory
• South Dakota Board of Regents
• School Administrators of South Dakota
• South Dakota Community Foundation
• Citibank
• National Board Certified Teachers

For more information

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, contact Dr. Jim Parry or MaryLou McGirr, Technology and Innovation in Education, at (605) 394-1876. jparry@tie.net or mmcgirr@tie.net

Learning Power AP Courses

The seven courses listed below are Learning Power AP courses. They are marked with the Learning Power red leaf throughout the Virtual School website.

AP Calculus AB

AP English Literature & Composition

AP English Language & Composition

AP Biology

AP Physics B

AP Statistics

AP Chemistry

To access descriptions of these courses, click on the "Courses" tab above and search accordingly.

Download the AP course prerequisites.

Districts who may have books for sale