Relates to continuing the early college high school program and the pathways in technology early college high school program in this state; appropriation

Section 2 of the bill adds a new Education Law § 6457 to establish grant awards for New York State's early college high school programs comma acing in the 2016-2017 academic year. Subject to an appropriation, the bill requires the Commissioner to allocate funds for early college high school programs approved by the Commissioner in accordance with the Commissioner's regulations and a request for proposals process. The bill requires the Commissioner to prioritize partnerships that demonstrate the willingness and capacity to serve students who have been identified as economically disadvantaged and/or academically at-risk for not successfully completing high school or not enrolling in or succeeding in college. Priority shall also be given to early college high school programs that were funded by the department under a prior request for proposals process, based upon demonstration of successful student outcomes as determined by the commissioner in regulations. Eligible institutions shall file an application for approval by the Commissioner in a timeframe and manner prescribed by the Commissioner in regulations.

This section of the bill defines an eligible applicant as a New York state school district with an approved early college high school program with a partnership with a not-for-profit higher education institution to offer college-level courses leading to the granting of at least 24 college credits and up to a post-secondary degree or diploma. It further defines an eligible student as a student who is (i) a resident of the school district in which the early college high school is located and is enrolled in such district; and (ii) is registered to attend such high school for the academic years for which the grant award is being sought.

The bill also requires that monies made available under this section can only be spent for the following purposes: to provide additional staffing for the early college high school program, including a program director and college liaison; student recruitment activities; to provide professional development to promote the early college high school program, including cross-curriculum development between secondary and post-secondary education partners to ensure curriculum alignment that prepares students to succeed in college level courses while in high school; academic and social support services to promote college readiness and a college-going culture; transportation for students to take courses and participate in activities at the partner campus of the higher education partner; and tuition, books and fees; provided however that tuition reimbursement shall only be allowable for non-remedial, credit-bearing college courses. It further provides that no funds awarded under this section shall be made available to support the regular academic program of any institution participating in this program.

Section 3 of the bill adds a new Education Law § 6458 to establish grant awards for P-TECH programs. Subject to an appropriation, the bill requires the Commissioner to allocate funds for P-TECH programs approved by the commissioner in accordance with the Commissioner's regulations. Funds must first be set aside for those approved P-TECH programs that were funded under the previous request for proposals process to fulfill any obligation to any cohort of students in such program so they can obtain a cost-free associate degree. This will ensure that those P-TECH programs fulfill their obligations to students currently enrolled in those programs under a previous request for proposals process. The commissioner shall then, subject to any remaining appropriation, make grant awards to eligible applicants through a new request for proposals process and shall prioritize partnerships that demonstrate the willingness and capacity to serve students who have been identified as economically disadvantaged or academically disadvantaged and at-risk for not successfully completing high school or not enrolling in or succeeding in college. Priority shall also be given to P-TECH programs that were funded by the department under, a prior request for proposals process based upon demonstration of successful student outcomes, as determined by the Commissioner's regulations.

This section defines an eligible applicant as a New York State school district, which must serve as the fiscal agent. An eligible district may work in cooperation with other school districts, a board of cooperative educational services, or any combination of these entities with a partnership that includes: (i) one or more New York State nonprofit higher education institutions provided that at least one institution offers an associate's degree linked to the goals of the approved P-TECH program, and which awards the degree at no cost to the student/family; and (ii) a regional New York State employer and/or industry/entity/association that requires highly skilled employees which will utilize the knowledge and skills obtained from the secondary and postsecondary programs proposed under the application and agrees to place students who successfully complete the program first in line for a job.

Monies made available under this section can only be spent for the following purposes: existing evidence-based and/or standards-based curriculum that focuses on a career in science, technology, engineering or math- related career area within a P-TECH program; recruitment activities for eligible students; to provide professional development to promote the P-TECH program, including cross-curriculum development between partners and to ensure curriculum alignment that prepares students to succeed in college level courses while in high school and during career training; up to ten percent of funds awarded under this section may be used for eligible applicants to purchase equipment needed to upgrade existing programs or new equipment to start a program; workshops and planning meetings between partners, including counselors, parents, and college faculty, and business leaders to support program sustainability and build awareness in the regions of the benefits of having such programs; post-secondary curriculum development that facilitates alignment and articulation with secondary programs leading to college degrees and/or other industry recognized credentials that meet the needs of employers; service contracts between members of the partnership; transportation for eligible students to take courses and participate in activities at the partner campus of the higher education partner; and tuition, books and fees; provided that tuition reimbursement will only be allowable for non-remedial, credit-bearing college courses.

Section 4 of the bill provides a $35,000,000 appropriation to SED to be appropriated as follows: $13,000,000 for payment of early college high school grants and $23,000,000 for payment of grants to eligible institutions for pathways in technology early college high school programs.

Section 5 of the bill is the effective date.

Statement in support of the bill

It is necessary to preserve and continue the New York State early college high school program and the New York State P-TECH program in this state which provide various students, including those traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education, with the opportunity to access college-level courses and college degree credits at the high school level with the combined support of high school and college staff and resources, and for P-TECH programs, career training and employment in a highly skilled job upon completion of the program.

The early college high school program not only increases student' access to higher education, but also reduces potential costs for students in completing college degrees by allowing them to either complete a degree upon graduation from high school or to apply their earned college credits towards an Associate's or Baccalaureate's degree. This innovative program provides incentives to high school students to proceed to college and to earn a college degree by accelerating their overall completion of a degree. It also better prepares them for college-level coursework, which, will in turn, increase their academic performance. Ultimately, this program increases graduation rates both at the high school and college levels, especially for academically at-risk students.

The P-TECH program, through a public-private partnership, prepares thousands of New York students for high-skill jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance. The P-TECH program provides students with a rigorous, relevant and cost-free high school and college education and a workplace learning environment with ongoing mentoring by professionals in the chosen career sector to better prepare these students for successful careers. Students also receive a commitment from the participating employer to be first in line for consideration for a job following completion of the program. Ultimately, this program increases graduation rates both at the high school and college levels and provides essential career training for academically at-risk, disadvantaged students, which at the completion of the program leads these students to a skilled job.

It is also necessary to provide funding for these programs to ensure that they continue in operation and continue to provide students with these valuable services. Accelerating the completion of a student's college degree at the high school level will result in a student requiring less financial assistance (including tuition assistance or TAP funds) to complete their degree at the post-secondary level. These programs will ultimately result in significant cost-savings to both the state and to families and therefore, are a great investment of state funds.

It is also necessary to provide additional funding for the SED to administer and evaluate these critical programs. These funds will support program staff to supplement the oversight already being provided to these programs, and ensure the timely and accurate analysis of data to further enhance and validate these programs.

Budgetary implications of the bill

The bill includes a $35,000,000 appropriation to expand early college and pathways in technology early college high school programs. These new funds would be used to fund existing programs and where there are remaining funds to expand these programs throughout the state.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill. There is no prior legislative history on this bill.

Effective date

The bill would take effect immediately.