Appropriates moneys for and authorizes support of college summer programs to prepare economically and educationally disadvantaged student for graduate programs; appropriation

BILL NUMBER:S1334

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to opportunity for graduate education, and making an appropriation therefor

Summary of provisions

This bill would add a new section 6456 to the education law to permit the Commissioner of Education to contract with three public or independent institutions of higher education for the operation of eight week summer programs to prepare economically and educationally disadvantaged students for admission to educational programs beyond the B.A. level. Students who have completed one or two years of undergraduate study and are educationally and economically disadvantaged would be eligible for participation in these new programs. Any college or university incorporated by the Regents or by the Legislature who maintains at least one earned degree program leading to the B.A. would be eligible to contract with the commissioner for the operation of one of these programs, of which there would be programs targeted for the health and biological sciences, law, business, social sciences or the humanities.

The commissioner is authorized to promulgate necessary regulations and would be required to make annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature.

Justification

Minority groups and other disadvantaged students do not attend graduate and professional schools in proportions to their participation at other levels of education. Current data indicates that, in addition to problems of retention in graduate programs, there has been a steady decline in enrollment in graduate programs, particularly in the sciences and technology, and business. Without active public programs of this nature, these target groups will continue to be greatly under represented in the professions and managerial positions in business and government where their leadership can be most effectively used in combatting the root causes of poverty. The special summer program would be modelled on those pioneered by Harvard Medical College and other universities, and would stimulate interest in furthering an education while providing supportive instruction to improve performance on standardized tests.

Prior legislative history

2011-12: S.3132/A.5684 - Died in Higher Education. 2003-04: S.652/A.1354 - Referred to Higher Education. 2001-02: S.4081/A.1546 - Referred to Higher Education. 1999-00: S.2798-A/A.6083-A - Referred to Higher Education. 1997-98: S.1365 - Referred to Higher Education. 1995-96: S.1365 - Referred to Higher Education.

Fiscal implications

$711,200.00

Effective date

April 1 next succeeding the date on which it shall become a law.