S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  7742

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 3, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, GRAF -- 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; 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
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.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD07197-01-3
              

A. 7742                             2

  (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.