S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6576
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 27, 2015
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Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, GRAF, COOK, ROBERTS, GALEF, SCARBOR-
OUGH, GUNTHER, SKARTADOS, LUPINACCI, SCHIMEL -- Multi-Sponsored by --
M. of A. GOTTFRIED, HOOPER, McDONOUGH, MOSLEY, RUSSELL, THIELE -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the
general equivalency degree assistance pilot program; making an appro-
priation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6311
2 to read as follows:
3 S 6311. GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DEGREE ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM. 1.
4 AUTHORIZATION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION
5 TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY
6 COLLEGE IS AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM FOR ONLINE EDUCATION
7 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH OBTAINING THEIR GENERAL
8 EQUIVALENCY DEGREE.
9 2. TUITION. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY CHARGE TUITION FOR SUCH PROGRAM;
10 PROVIDED THAT SUCH FEES SHALL NOT EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS PER
11 SEMESTER PER INDIVIDUAL ENROLLED IN SUCH PROGRAM.
12 3. CURRICULUM. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A
13 CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO MEET THE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION NECESSARY TO PASS
14 THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY EXAM; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH CURRICULUM
15 SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, INCLUDE A COURSE OF STUDY IN MATHEMATICS, ENGLISH
16 READING AND COMPREHENSION, UNITED STATES AND WORLD HISTORY AND THE
17 GENERAL SCIENCES.
18 4. WEBSITE. (A) THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL MAINTAIN A WEBSITE
19 DISPLAYING THE CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTIONS ON THE RECOMMENDED COURSE OF
20 STUDY, QUIZZES AND PRACTICE TESTS ON THE SUBJECT MATERIAL, AND LINKS TO
21 FREE TUTORIAL PROGRAMS ADJUDGED INFORMATIVE AND VALID BY THE BOARD.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10133-01-5
A. 6576 2
1 (B) EACH COURSE OF STUDY SHALL BE MAINTAINED UNDER ITS OWN DEDICATED
2 WEBPAGE OR SECTION OF SUCH WEBSITE.
3 (C) SUCH WEBSITE SHALL PROMINENTLY DISPLAY THE DATES, TIMES AND PLACES
4 WHERE THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY EXAM IS AVAILABLE AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW
5 A PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE MAY APPLY.
6 (D) SUCH WEBSITE SHALL BE INTERACTIVE IN FORMAT WITH PROSPECTIVE
7 CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY EXAM ABLE TO SUBMIT PRACTICE EXAMS
8 AND QUIZZES FOR GRADING, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO SEEK TUTORIAL ASSIST-
9 ANCE ON THE SUBJECT MATTER THROUGH ELECTRONIC MAIL.
10 5. TEACHING ASSISTANTS. STUDENTS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
11 THAT MAINTAIN A GRADE POINT AVERAGE ABOVE 3.5 THROUGH THE SEMESTER
12 PRECEDING THEIR APPLICATION AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO
13 PROVIDE TUTORIAL SERVICES TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES. THE COMPENSATION OF
14 SUCH STUDENTS SHALL BE SET BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
15 S 2. During the fourth year next succeeding the effective date of this
16 act, the board of trustees of Suffolk county community college shall
17 undertake or cause to be undertaken a study on the effectiveness of the
18 general equivalency degree assistance pilot program and its effects on
19 ameliorating the number of high school dropouts without a general equiv-
20 alency degree and shall prepare recommendations for the governor and
21 legislature on whether a general equivalency degree assistance pilot
22 program should be established statewide, and, if so, make recommenda-
23 tions as to provisions including state incentives for the program.
24 S 3. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or so much
25 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any monies in
26 the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the state
27 purposes fund, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately avail-
28 able, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such
29 monies shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on
30 vouchers certified or approved by the comptroller of Suffolk county in
31 the manner prescribed by law.
32 S 4. This act shall take effect on the first of September next
33 succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall expire
34 5 years after such effective date when upon such date the provisions of
35 this act shall be deemed repealed.