What's happening
This bill creates a five-year pilot program at Suffolk County Community College to provide online GED assistance, including an interactive website, tutoring, and a $250 tuition cap.
Why it matters
Expands access to GED preparation. by leveraging online tools—this could help reach adults who face barriers to in-person attendance, such as work, family obligations, or transportation challenges.
Caps tuition at $250 per semester. , making the program significantly more affordable compared to many existing adult education or test prep options, potentially easing the financial burden on low-income individuals seeking a GED.
Incorporates peer tutoring by high-achieving community college students. , which not only supports GED candidates but also provides valuable teaching experience and possible income for those college students.
Requires a formal evaluation after four years. , ensuring the program is assessed for effectiveness and equity before consideration for statewide expansion, which could influence the future of adult education policy in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Help for GED Seekers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3792
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
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 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 Assembly, 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 assistance 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 equivalency 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 recommendations 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 available, 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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.