S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3792
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 30, 2017
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Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, GRAF, COOK, GALEF, GUNTHER, SKARTA-
DOS, LUPINACCI -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTTFRIED, HOOPER,
JENNE, McDONOUGH, MOSLEY, 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:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6311
to read as follows:
§ 6311. GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DEGREE ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM. 1.
AUTHORIZATION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION
TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY
COLLEGE IS AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM FOR ONLINE EDUCATION
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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03843-01-7
A. 3792 2
(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.
§ 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.
§ 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.
§ 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.