Senate Bill S6211

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

                                  6211

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             October 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  ESPADA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to directing the  commis-
  sioner  of  education  to  establish a Hispanic youth symposium initi-
  ative; and making an appropriation therefor

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds that the
Pew Hispanic Center in their recent 2005 study by Roberto Juro, entitled
"Hispanics: A People in Motion", noted that Hispanic youth  "lag  behind
white  students  at  all key milestones of their educational journey. In
high school, Hispanic youths complete a less rigorous curriculum and, on
average, score  lower  on  national  assessments  and  college  entrance
exams...  they  remain much less likely than their white peers to finish
college." In 2004, only 12.5% of the Hispanic labor force had a  college
degree, as compared to 30.9% for non-Hispanics.
  Hispanics  are New York's fastest growing minority population. Despite
the enormous potential of this population, Hispanics' prominent presence
in the workforce is not matched by  strong  educational  attainment.  In
2003-2004, Hispanics represented two-thirds of workforce growth.  Howev-
er,  according to the United States Census Bureau, Hispanics are receiv-
ing four year degrees at roughly one-third of the rate of their non-His-
panic counterparts. The growing Hispanic population means more  workers,
but not more educated workers. In fact, the inverse appears to be true.
  The  legislature  finds  that funding is necessary to pay the start up
expenses of three new Hispanic youth symposiums in  the  state  and  for
three  year-round  program coordinators to support Hispanic students and
proposed student activities that will enable these students to establish
a college going culture.
  The establishment of Hispanic youth symposiums  will  provide  several
benefits,  including:  delivering  high  level college and career access

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD14865-01-9
              

S. 6211                             2

instructions to students, creating the confidence necessary to apply for
colleges, scholarships and loans, creating a professional career  focus,
and  empowering  students  to take positive actions on the issues facing
their community.
  S  2.  Section  305  of  the  education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 42 to read as follows:
  42.  A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH, WITHIN THE  DEPARTMENT,  THE
HISPANIC  YOUTH  SYMPOSIUM  INITIATIVE.  SUCH  INITIATIVE  SHALL PROVIDE
YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS. THE HISPANIC YOUTH SYMPOSI-
UM INITIATIVE SHALL INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE REGIONAL HISPANIC
YOUTH SYMPOSIUMS IN THE STATE, AND  EACH  REGIONAL  SYMPOSIUM  SHALL  BE
DIRECTED BY A REGIONAL COORDINATOR.
  B. THE PURPOSE OF THE HISPANIC YOUTH SYMPOSIUMS SHALL BE TO:
  (I)  ESTABLISH  SPEAKERS'  BUREAUS  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF MEETING WITH
HISPANIC STUDENTS AND  THEIR  PARENTS,  IN  COORDINATION  WITH  REGIONAL
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES;
  (II)  MANAGE  HISPANIC  STUDENT CONNECTIONS TO CORPORATIONS, COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION;
  (III) PROVIDE HISPANIC STUDENT OUTREACH FOR PARTICIPANTS AND FACILITA-
TORS OF FUTURE HISPANIC YOUTH SYMPOSIUMS IN THIS STATE;
  (IV) DELIVER HIGH LEVEL COLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS INSTRUCTION;
  (V) CREATE THE CONFIDENCE IN HISPANIC STUDENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY  FOR
COLLEGE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS;
  (VI) CREATE A PROFESSIONAL CAREER FOCUS; AND
  (VII)  EMPOWER  HISPANIC  STUDENTS  TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTIONS ON ISSUES
FACING THEIR COMMUNITY.
  S 3. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or  so  much
thereof  as  may  be  necessary, is hereby appropriated to the education
department out of any moneys in the state treasury in the  general  fund
to the credit of the state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated,
and  made  immediately  available,  for the purposes of implementing the
provisions of subdivision 42 of section 305 of  the  education  law,  as
added  by  section  two of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the
audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified  or  approved
by the commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.