Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a)
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish requirements for summer
programs for high performing students in mathematics and science who have
completed seventh grade that are offered pursuant to Education Law, section
3641-a.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Advanced coursework means advanced
instruction in mathematics and science that leads to attainment of the State
learning standards in mathematics and science at the commencement
level.
(2) Eligible student means a
student nominated by the superintendent to participate in a summer program
administered pursuant to this section who:
(i) will have completed seventh grade prior
to the start of such summer program;
(ii) has demonstrated distinguished work in
mathematics and science as determined by multiple measures, including, but not
limited to:
(a) the student has maintained a
grade point average of 90 or above in mathematics and science in grades five,
six and seven; and
(b) has scored
at level four on the State assessment in mathematics in grades five and
six;
(iii) has received
recommendations from at least one teacher of mathematics and at least one
teacher of science who have taught such student in grades five, six and/or
seven; and
(iv) has written consent
from a parent or person in parental relation to participate in such summer
program following completion of seventh grade.
(3) Excelsior scholars means students who
have successfully completed a summer program of advanced coursework during the
summer following the completion of seventh grade administered in accordance
with this section.
(4) Other high
performing student means a student nominated by the superintendent to
participate in a summer program administered pursuant to this section who:
(i) will have completed seventh grade prior
to the start of such summer program;
(ii) has demonstrated excellent work in
mathematics and science as determined by multiple measures, including, but not
limited to:
(a) maintaining a grade point
average of 90 or above in mathematics or science in grades five, six and
seven;
(b) scoring at level four on
a State assessment in mathematics in either grades five or six;
(iii) has scored at level four on
the State assessment in English language arts in grades five and six;
(iv) has received a recommendation from at
least two of the following: a teacher of mathematics, a teacher of science, or
a teacher of English language arts who have taught such student in grades five,
six and/or seven; and
(v) has
written consent from a parent or person in parental relation to participate in
such summer program following completion of seventh grade.
(5) Centers of Excellence in Technology shall
include those centers identified through the State's economic development
agency to support State research facilities and other technology and
biotechnology capital projects.
(c) The superintendent may nominate up to 10
percent of a school's eligible grade seven students to participate in the
programs described in this section; provided that in school districts that have
fewer than 10 eligible students, the superintendent may nominate one such
student. The superintendent shall nominate equal numbers of male and female
students, as practicable.
(d)
Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, the
commissioner shall annually issue a request for proposals to public and
independent colleges and universities to administer summer programs as
described in this section. Such proposals shall be in a format, and submitted
pursuant to a timeline, as prescribed by the commissioner and shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
(1) a
description of the process used to promote the Excelsior Scholars Program among
local school districts and to engage in student outreach;
(2) a description of the selection process
and criteria, which shall be based on demonstrated academic achievement, used
by the college or university to review and select eligible students and, where
applicable, other high performing students, from those nominated for
participation in the program. Such selection process and criteria shall ensure:
(i) the selection of students who have
demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement in mathematics and
science; and
(ii) a balanced number
of male and female participants, as practicable;
(3) a description of the advanced coursework
to be provided to such students, including how such coursework is aligned with
the State learning standards;
(4) a
description of the academic qualifications of the faculty who will provide the
advanced coursework to students participating in the program, and programmatic
capacity of the site and staff; and
(5) a description of the criteria to be used
to determine whether such students have successfully completed the
program.
(e) Competitive
grants will be awarded to eligible public and independent colleges and
universities to implement program(s) pursuant to this section based on, but not
limited to, the following criteria:
(1) the
provision of appropriate advanced coursework and the program's alignment with
the State learning standards;
(2)
the extent to which participation was solicited through student outreach and
program promotion;
(3) the
expertise of faculty and programmatic capacity of site and staff;
(4) coordination with programs offered by the
centers of excellence in technology, to the extent practicable; and
(5) the availability of appropriated funds
for such purpose.