NY S07464

Establishes Article 130-A in New York Education Law to create statutory framework for two college credit opportunity programs: NYS Smart Scholars Early College High School Program and NYS Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Early College High School Program.

Smart Scholars program provides eligible students with high school diploma and at least twelve college credits through partnerships between school districts/BOCES and institutions of higher education at no cost to students.

P-TECH program combines high school, college, and career training in fields including science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and math-related careers, leading to associate degrees or industry certifications with guaranteed employer job interviews upon completion.

Previously funded programs receive automatic continued funding if they meet performance benchmarks set by the commissioner; new programs compete through a request for proposals process with priority given to applicants serving economically disadvantaged and academically at-risk students.

Grant funds may be used for program staffing, student recruitment, professional development, curriculum alignment, transportation, tuition/books/fees for college courses, and equipment (up to 10 percent of award for P-TECH programs), but cannot support regular academic programs of participating institutions.