S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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    S. 4599                                                  A. 7112

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                      S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y

                             April 13, 2011
                               ___________

IN  SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. ZELDIN -- read twice and ordered print-
  ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance

IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. GRAF -- read once and referred  to
  the Committee on Education

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  education  law, in relation to establishing the
  general equivalency degree assistance pilot  program;  and  making  an
  appropriation   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:

  Section  1.  The education law is amended by adding a new section 6311
to read as follows:
  S 6311.  GENERAL  EQUIVALENCY  DEGREE  ASSISTANCE  PILOT  PROGRAM.  1.
AUTHORIZATION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY GENERAL OR SPECIAL LAW, RULE OR REGU-
LATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNI-
TY  COLLEGE IS AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM FOR ONLINE EDUCA-
TION FOR THE PURPOSE  OF  ASSISTING  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  OBTAINING  THEIR
GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DEGREE.
  2. TUITION. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY CHARGE TUITION FOR SUCH PROGRAM;
PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH FEES SHALL NOT EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS PER
SEMESTER PER INDIVIDUAL ENROLLED IN SUCH PROGRAM.
  3. CURRICULUM. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL  DEVELOP  AND  IMPLEMENT  A
CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO MEET THE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION NECESSARY TO PASS
THE  GENERAL  EQUIVALENCY  EXAM; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH CURRICULUM
SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, INCLUDE A COURSE OF STUDY IN  MATHEMATICS,  ENGLISH
READING  AND  COMPREHENSION,  UNITED  STATES  AND  WORLD HISTORY AND THE
GENERAL SCIENCES.
  4. WEBSITE. (A)  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  SHALL  MAINTAIN  A  WEBSITE
DISPLAYING  THE  CURRICULUM,  INSTRUCTIONS  ON THE RECOMMENDED COURSE OF

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD10002-01-1

              

S. 4599                             2                            A. 7112

STUDY, QUIZZES AND PRACTICE TESTS ON THE SUBJECT MATERIAL, AND LINKS  TO
FREE TUTORIAL PROGRAMS ADJUDGED INFORMATIVE AND VALID BY THE BOARD.
  (B)  EACH  COURSE OF STUDY SHALL BE MAINTAINED UNDER ITS OWN DEDICATED
WEBPAGE OR SECTION OF SUCH WEBSITE.
  (C) SUCH WEBSITE SHALL PROMINENTLY DISPLAY THE DATES, TIMES AND PLACES
WHERE THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY EXAM IS AVAILABLE AND INSTRUCTIONS ON  HOW
A PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE MAY APPLY.
  (D)  SUCH  WEBSITE  SHALL  BE  INTERACTIVE  IN FORMAT WITH PROSPECTIVE
CANDIDATES TO THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY EXAM ABLE TO SUBMIT PRACTICE EXAMS
AND QUIZZES FOR GRADING, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO SEEK TUTORIAL ASSIST-
ANCE ON THE SUBJECT MATTER THROUGH ELECTRONIC MAIL.
  5. TEACHING ASSISTANTS. STUDENTS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY  COMMUNITY  COLLEGE
THAT  MAINTAIN  A  GRADE  POINT  AVERAGE  ABOVE 3.5 THROUGH THE SEMESTER
PRECEDING THEIR APPLICATION AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO
PROVIDE TUTORIAL SERVICES TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES. THE COMPENSATION OF
SUCH STUDENTS SHALL BE SET BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
  S 2. During the fourth year next succeeding the effective date of this
act, the board of trustees of Suffolk  county  community  college  shall
undertake  or cause to be undertaken a study on the effectiveness of the
general equivalency degree assistance pilot program and its  effects  on
ameliorating the number of high school dropouts without a general equiv-
alency  degree  and  shall  prepare recommendations for the governor and
legislature on whether a general  equivalency  degree  assistance  pilot
program  should  be  established statewide, and, if so, make recommenda-
tions as to provisions including state incentives for the program.
  S 3. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000),  or  so  much
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any monies in
the  state  treasury  in  the  general  fund  to the credit of the state
purposes fund, not otherwise appropriated, and made  immediately  avail-
able,  for  the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such
monies shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the  comptroller  on
vouchers  certified  or approved by the comptroller of Suffolk county in
the manner prescribed by law.
  S 4. This act shall  take  effect  on  the  first  of  September  next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall expire
5  years after such effective date when upon such date the provisions of
this act shall be deemed repealed.