Senate Bill S655

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S655

 .up on; TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring
institutions of higher education to notify parents and guardians of a
dependent student's course grades


 PURPOSE :

This bill would require New York State colleges and universities, upon
written request, to notify parents and guardians of a college student,
such student's grades and semester grade point average.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: Adds a new Education Law section 6438 to give parents and
guardians of a college or university student the ability to obtain
their dependent children's college grades and grade point average.
This information must be supplied to the parents or guardians of a
dependent student only when such information is requested by such
parents or guardians.

Section 2: Effective date.

              

 EXISTING LAW :

This provision is not contained in the Education Law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In order for many students to obtain a college degree, parents are
required to provide a substantial amount of financial assistance to
cover tuition and other expenses charged by an institution.
Presently, there is no mechanism in place to provide parents with a
copy of their child's grades, regardless of whether they were liable
for financing their education. This measure would require all colleges
and universities and other institutions of higher learning in New York
to provide parents or guardians with a copy of their children's grades
if such parents request such information in writing.

This bill is designed to identify and remedy situations where the
student may not be maintaining adequate grades to receive a degree.
By allowing parents and guardians to receive a copy of each semester's
grades, problem areas may be identified. More importantly, parents may
be able to work with students to help improve their grades or help
them make a decision concerning the student's ability to continue to
attend college.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

S.223 of 2007/2008

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become law.