STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
S. 4599 A. 7112
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
April 13, 2011
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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:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6311
2 to read as follows:
3 § 6311. General equivalency degree assistance pilot program. 1.
4 Authorization. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regu-
5 lation to the contrary, the board of trustees of Suffolk county communi-
6 ty college is authorized to establish a pilot program for online educa-
7 tion for the purpose of assisting individuals with obtaining their
8 general equivalency degree.
9 2. Tuition. The board of trustees may charge tuition for such program;
10 provided that such fees shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars per
11 semester per individual enrolled in such program.
12 3. Curriculum. The board of trustees shall develop and implement a
13 curriculum designed to meet the standards of education necessary to pass
14 the general equivalency exam; provided, however, that such curriculum
15 shall, at a minimum, include a course of study in mathematics, English
16 reading and comprehension, United States and world history and the
17 general sciences.
18 4. Website. (a) The board of trustees shall maintain a website
19 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
1 study, quizzes and practice tests on the subject material, and links to
2 free tutorial programs adjudged informative and valid by the board.
3 (b) Each course of study shall be maintained under its own dedicated
4 webpage or section of such website.
5 (c) Such website shall prominently display the dates, times and places
6 where the general equivalency exam is available and instructions on how
7 a prospective candidate may apply.
8 (d) Such website shall be interactive in format with prospective
9 candidates to the general equivalency exam able to submit practice exams
10 and quizzes for grading, as well as the ability to seek tutorial assist-
11 ance on the subject matter through electronic mail.
12 5. Teaching assistants. Students of Suffolk county community college
13 that maintain a grade point average above 3.5 through the semester
14 preceding their application as a teaching assistant shall be eligible to
15 provide tutorial services to prospective candidates. The compensation of
16 such students shall be set by the board of trustees.
17 § 2. During the fourth year next succeeding the effective date of this
18 act, the board of trustees of Suffolk county community college shall
19 undertake or cause to be undertaken a study on the effectiveness of the
20 general equivalency degree assistance pilot program and its effects on
21 ameliorating the number of high school dropouts without a general equiv-
22 alency degree and shall prepare recommendations for the governor and
23 legislature on whether a general equivalency degree assistance pilot
24 program should be established statewide, and, if so, make recommenda-
25 tions as to provisions including state incentives for the program.
26 § 3. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or so much
27 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any monies in
28 the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the state
29 purposes fund, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately avail-
30 able, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such
31 monies shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on
32 vouchers certified or approved by the comptroller of Suffolk county in
33 the manner prescribed by law.
34 § 4. This act shall take effect on the first of September next
35 succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall expire
36 5 years after such effective date when upon such date the provisions of
37 this act shall be deemed repealed.
