NY S08700

Establishes Education Law §6457 to create the New York State Smart Scholars Early College High School Program, providing eligible students with high school diplomas and at least 24 college credits at no cost through partnerships between school districts and higher education institutions.

Establishes Education Law §6458 to create the New York State Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Program, offering a six-year program combining high school, college, and career training in fields including science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.

Allocates funding to previously funded programs without requiring reapplication if contracts have been continuously renewed, while establishing benchmarks and allowing corrective action including program closure for programs failing to meet requirements.

Permits competitive grant awards to eligible applicants (school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, and higher education institutions) for new programs, prioritizing those serving economically disadvantaged and academically at-risk students.

Allows grant funds for staffing, recruitment, professional development, student support services, transportation, tuition, books, and equipment (up to 10 percent of award for P-TECH), excluding support for regular school district programs.