INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana will spend millions of dollars over the next two years to pay for Advanced Placement tests for high school students even though less than half of those who take the exams pass.

Reports say more than a third of Indiana graduates took AP exams in 2012, but only about 45 percent passed. Sixty percent of students nationally passed the exams.

Advanced Placement courses let students earn college credit by passing a year-end exam. The state will spend $2.8 million this year and $3.3 million next year to cover the exam fees.

Republican Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley says the increased funding is designed to boost participation in the AP program. But some educators say it risks putting more unqualified students in AP classes.