Requires certain colleges to notify parents and guardians of a dependent student of such student's course grades and semester average upon request

4 Co-sponsors

• Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.
• Vincent L. Leibell
• Thomas P. Morahan
• Dean G. Skelos

.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.