S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6452
I N S E N A T E
January 24, 2014
___________
Introduced by Sen. SMITH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the path-
ways for academic career and employment program and the gap tuition
assistance program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Title 7 of the education law is amended by adding a new
article 130-A to read as follows:
ARTICLE 130-A
PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
SECTION 6460. DEFINITIONS.
6461. PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
S 6460. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 1. "DISLOCATED WORKER"
MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES AND BENEFITS UNDER THE FEDERAL
TRADE ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2002, P.L. 107-210, WHO:
A. IS A CITIZEN OR NATIONAL OF THE UNITED STATES, A LAWFULLY ADMITTED
PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIEN, A LAWFULLY ADMITTED REFUGEE OR PAROLEE OR AN
INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO WORK IN THE UNITED
STATES, AND WHO IS REGISTERED FOR THE SELECTIVE SERVICE, IF APPLICABLE;
AND
B. (1) HAS BEEN LAID OFF OR TERMINATED, IS ELIGIBLE FOR OR HAS
EXHAUSTED ENTITLEMENT TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION, AND IS UNLIKELY TO
RETURN TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S PREVIOUS INDUSTRY OR OCCUPATION; OR
(2) IS IN RECEIPT OF A NOTICE OF LAYOFF OR TERMINATION FROM EMPLOY-
MENT, WILL BE ENTITLED TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AT THE TIME OF
LAYOFF OR TERMINATION, AND IS UNLIKELY TO RETURN TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S
PREVIOUS INDUSTRY OR OCCUPATION; OR
(3) HAS BEEN LAID OFF OR TERMINATED, OR HAS RECEIVED A TERMINATION
NOTICE, HAS BEEN EMPLOYED FOR A DURATION OF TIME TO SUFFICIENTLY DEMON-
STRATE ATTACHMENT TO THE WORKFORCE, AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT EARNINGS, OR HAS PERFORMED SERVICES FOR
AN EMPLOYER NOT COVERED UNDER THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW, AND IS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11627-01-3
S. 6452 2
UNLIKELY TO RETURN TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S PREVIOUS INDUSTRY OR OCCUPATION;
OR
(4) HAS BEEN LAID OFF OR TERMINATED, OR HAS RECEIVED NOTICE OF LAYOFF
OR TERMINATION, AS A RESULT OF A PERMANENT CLOSURE OF OR ANY SUBSTANTIAL
LAYOFF AT A PLANT, FACILITY OR ENTERPRISE; OR
(5) WAS FORMERLY SELF-EMPLOYED AND IS UNEMPLOYED FROM THE INDIVIDUAL'S
BUSINESS; OR
(6) IS A DISPLACED HOMEMAKER WHO HAS BEEN PROVIDING UNPAID SERVICES TO
FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HOME, HAS BEEN DEPENDENT ON THE INCOME OF ANOTHER
FAMILY MEMBER AND IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THAT INCOME, IS UNEMPLOYED
OR UNDEREMPLOYED, AND IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING OR UPGRAD-
ING EMPLOYMENT.
2. "FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL" MEANS THE MOST RECENTLY REVISED POVERTY
INCOME GUIDELINES PUBLISHED BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES.
3. "LOW SKILLED" MEANS AN ADULT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS BASIC SKILLS DEFI-
CIENT, HAS LOWER LEVEL DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS, HAS AN EDUCATION BELOW A
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, OR HAS A LOW LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT THAT
INHIBITS THE INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO COMPETE FOR SKILLED OCCUPATIONS
THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR A SELF-SUFFICIENT WAGE.
4. "UNDEREMPLOYED" MEANS AN ADULT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS WORKING LESS THAN
THIRTY HOURS PER WEEK, OR WHO IS EMPLOYED ANY NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
IN A JOB THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE INDIVIDUAL'S SKILL LEVEL AND
THAT DOES NOT LEAD TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
5. "UNEMPLOYED" MEANS AN ADULT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INVOLUNTARILY UNEM-
PLOYED AND IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.
S 6461. PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. 1. THE
PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (PACE) IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF PROJECTS THAT WILL LEAD TO GAINFUL, QUALITY, IN-STATE EMPLOYMENT FOR
MEMBERS OF TARGET POPULATIONS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH BOTH EFFECTIVE
ACADEMIC AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING TO ENSURE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND
CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT SERVICES.
2. INDIVIDUALS INCLUDED IN TARGET POPULATIONS ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS
WHO MEET ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A. ARE DEEMED TO BE LOW SKILLED AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF
SECTION SIXTY-FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY OF THIS ARTICLE.
B. EARN INCOMES AT OR BELOW TWO HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY
LEVEL.
C. ARE UNEMPLOYED.
D. ARE UNDEREMPLOYED.
E. ARE DISLOCATED WORKERS.
3. PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING FOR PACE SHALL BE PROJECTS THAT:
A. FURTHER THE ABILITY OF MEMBERS OF TARGET POPULATIONS TO SECURE
GAINFUL, QUALITY EMPLOYMENT;
B. FURTHER PARTNERSHIPS LINKING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO INDUSTRY AND
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; AND
C. FURTHER THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
(1) ENABLING MEMBERS OF THE TARGET POPULATIONS TO:
(A) ACQUIRE AND DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN BASIC SKILLS;
(B) ACQUIRE AND DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY IN A SPECIFIED TECHNICAL FIELD;
(C) COMPLETE A SPECIFIED LEVEL OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION;
(D) EARN A NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE;
(E) OBTAIN EMPLOYER-VALIDATED CREDENTIALS; AND/OR
(F) SECURE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN HIGH-QUALITY, LOCAL JOBS; AND
(2) MEET ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
S. 6452 3
(A) ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS IN EACH REGION
SERVED BY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES; AND
(B) NEEDS OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN AREAS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE FIELDS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH CARE, ADVANCED MANUFACTUR-
ING, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS, AND ANY OTHER INDUSTRY DESIGNATED AS
IN-DEMAND BY THE COMMISSIONER.
4. PROGRAM COMPONENTS FOR A PACE PROJECT IMPLEMENTED AT A COMMUNITY
COLLEGE SHALL:
A. INCLUDE MEASURABLE AND EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT, ASSESSMENT, AND
REFERRAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED FOR THE TARGET POPULATIONS;
B. INTEGRATE BASIC SKILLS AND WORK-READINESS TRAINING WITH OCCUPA-
TIONAL SKILLS TRAINING;
C. COMBINE CUSTOMIZED SUPPORTIVE AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH
TRAINING SERVICES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT;
AND
D. PROVIDE TRAINING SERVICES AT TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND THROUGH MULTI-
PLE, FLEXIBLE MODALITIES THAT ARE EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND READILY ACCESSI-
BLE TO THE TARGET POPULATIONS. SUCH MODALITIES SHALL SUPPORT OPEN
ENTRY, INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING, AND FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING, AND MAY INCLUDE
ONLINE REMEDIATION, LEARNING LAB AND COHORT LEARNING COMMUNITIES, TUTOR-
ING, AND MODULARIZATION.
5. EACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVING FUNDING FOR PACE SHALL DEVELOP A
PIPELINE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE THE ACADEMIC, TRAINING, AND
EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF THE TARGET POPULATIONS. A PIPELINE PROGRAM SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:
A. TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES;
B. TO IMPROVE AND SIMPLIFY THE IDENTIFICATION, RECRUITMENT, AND
ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS;
C. TO CONDUCT AND MANAGE AN OUTREACH, RECRUITMENT, AND INTAKE PROCESS,
ALONG WITH ACCOMPANYING SUPPORT SERVICES, REFLECTING SENSITIVITY TO THE
TIME AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND REMEDIATION NEEDS OF THE TARGET POPU-
LATIONS;
D. TO CONDUCT ORIENTATIONS FOR QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS TO DESCRIBE
REGIONAL LABOR MARKET OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYER PARTNERS, AND PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS;
E. TO DESCRIBE THE CONCEPTS OF THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTED WITH FUNDS FROM
PACE AND THE EMBEDDED EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT RESOURCES AVAILABLE
THROUGH SUCH PROJECT;
F. TO OUTLINE THE BASIC SKILLS PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN AND DESCRIBE
THE CREDENTIALS PARTICIPANTS WILL EARN;
G. TO DESCRIBE SUCCESS MILESTONES AND WAYS IN WHICH TEMPORAL AND
INSTRUCTIONAL BARRIERS HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED OR ELIMINATED; AND
H. TO REVIEW HOW INDIVIDUALIZED AND CUSTOMIZED SERVICE STRATEGIES FOR
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DEVELOPED AND PROVIDED.
6. EACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVING FUNDING FOR PACE SHALL DEVELOP A
CAREER PATHWAY AND BRIDGE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN ORDER TO
BETTER SERVE THE ACADEMIC, TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF THE TARGET
POPULATIONS. A CAREER PATHWAYS AND BRIDGE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:
A. THE ARTICULATION OF COURSES AND MODULES, THE MAPPING OF PROGRAMS
WITHIN CAREER PATHWAYS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BRIDGES BETWEEN CREDIT
AND NONCREDIT PROGRAMS;
B. THE INTEGRATION AND CONTEXTUALIZATION OF BASIC SKILLS EDUCATION AND
SKILLS TRAINING. THIS PROCESS SHALL PROVIDE FOR SEAMLESS PROGRESSIONS
BETWEEN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
S. 6452 4
AND CONTINUING EDUCATION AND CREDIT CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, AND DEGREE
PROGRAMS; AND
C. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAREER PATHWAYS THAT SUPPORT THE ATTAINMENT OF
INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS, DIPLOMAS, AND DEGREES THROUGH STACKA-
BLE, MODULARIZED PROGRAM DELIVERY.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-e to
read as follows:
S 669-E. GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 1. THE GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
FOR NEED-BASED TUITION ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE
CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR IN-DEMAND OCCUPA-
TIONS.
2. A. ELIGIBILITY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE SHALL BE BASED ON FINANCIAL
NEED. APPLICANTS MAY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE FOR PARTIAL OR TOTAL TUITION
ASSISTANCE. TUITION ASSISTANCE SHALL NOT BE APPROVED WHEN THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE RECEIVING THE APPLICATION DETERMINES THAT FUNDING FOR AN APPLI-
CANT'S PARTICIPATION IN AN ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE
FROM ANY OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCE. CRITERIA TO DETERMINE
FINANCIAL NEED SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(1) THE APPLICANT'S FAMILY INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE
DATE OF APPLICATION;
(2) THE APPLICANT'S FAMILY SIZE; AND
(3) THE APPLICANT'S COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.
B. AN APPLICANT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
PROVIDE TO THE GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR AT THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE RECEIVING THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION OF ALL SOURCES OF
INCOME.
C. ELIGIBILITY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE
LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS EARNING INCOMES AT OR BELOW TWO HUNDRED PERCENT
OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AS DEFINED BY THE MOST RECENTLY REVISED
POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
3. AN APPLICANT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS CHAPTER MUST HAVE A
DEMONSTRATED CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES:
A. THE ABILITY TO COMPLETE AN ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM;
B. THE ABILITY TO ENTER A POSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, OR
DEGREE PROGRAM FOR CREDIT;
C. THE ABILITY TO GAIN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT; AND
D. THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
4. THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVING THE APPLICATION SHALL ONLY APPROVE
AN APPLICANT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE DETERMINES THE APPLICANT IS LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN ACHIEVING THE
OUTCOMES DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION AFTER CONSIDER-
ING FACTORS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
A. BARRIERS THAT MAY PREVENT AN APPLICANT FROM COMPLETING THE CERTIF-
ICATE PROGRAM; AND
B. BARRIERS THAT MAY PREVENT AN APPLICANT FROM GAINING EMPLOYMENT IN
AN IN-DEMAND OCCUPATION.
5. A. ONLY AN APPLICANT ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE
APPROVED FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
B. AN APPLICATION SHALL BE VALID FOR SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF
SIGNATURE ON THE APPLICATION.
C. AN APPLICANT SHALL NOT BE APPROVED FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER
THIS SECTION FOR MORE THAN ONE ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.
S. 6452 5
D. ELIGIBILITY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS CHAPTER SHALL NOT BE
CONSTRUED TO GUARANTEE ENROLLMENT IN ANY COMMUNITY COLLEGE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM.
6. A. COSTS OF A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE BY GAP
TUITION ASSISTANCE SHALL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
(1) TUITION;
(2) DIRECT TRAINING COSTS;
(3) REQUIRED BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT; AND
(4) FEES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FEES FOR INDUSTRY TESTING
SERVICES AND BACKGROUND CHECK TESTING SERVICES.
B. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CHAPTER, "ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM"
MEANS A PROGRAM MEETING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
(1) THE PROGRAM IS NOT OFFERED FOR CREDIT, BUT IS ALIGNED WITH A
CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, OR DEGREE FOR CREDIT, AND DOES AT LEAST ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING:
(A) OFFERS A NATIONALLY, LOCALLY, OR STATE-RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATE;
(B) OFFERS PREPARATION FOR A PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION OR LICENSURE;
(C) PROVIDES ENDORSEMENT FOR AN EXISTING CREDENTIAL OR LICENSE;
(D) REPRESENTS RECOGNIZED SKILL STANDARDS DEFINED BY AN INDUSTRIAL
SECTOR; OR
(E) OFFERS A SIMILAR CREDENTIAL OR TRAINING IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
TO SECTION SIXTY-FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF THIS CHAPTER; AND
(2) THE PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING OR A CREDENTIAL IN AN IN-DEMAND OCCU-
PATION. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CHAPTER, "IN-DEMAND OCCUPATION"
INCLUDES OCCUPATIONS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH CARE, ADVANCED
MANUFACTURING, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS, AND ANY OTHER INDUSTRY
DESIGNATED AS IN-DEMAND BY THE COMMISSIONER.
7. AN ELIGIBLE APPLICANT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION
SHALL COMPLETE AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE RECEIVING THE APPLICATION TO DETERMINE THE APPLICANT'S READINESS
TO COMPLETE AN ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. THE ASSESSMENT SHALL
INCLUDE ASSESSMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF A NATIONAL CAREER READINESS
CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING THE AREAS OF READING FOR INFORMATION, APPLIED
MATHEMATICS, AND LOCATING INFORMATION. AN APPLICANT MUST ACHIEVE AT
LEAST A NATIONAL BRONZE-LEVEL CERTIFICATE, DEFINED AS A MINIMUM LEVEL
THREE FOR READING, MATH, AND LOCATING INFORMATION, IN ORDER TO BE
APPROVED FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE. AN APPLICANT SHALL COMPLETE ANY ADDI-
TIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH REQUIRED BY THE PATHWAYS
FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SECTION SIXTY-FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF THIS CHAPTER OR AN ELIGIBLE
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM, OR BOTH.
8. AN ELIGIBLE APPLICANT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION
SHALL MEET WITH THE GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR FOR AN ELIGIBLE
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVING THE
APPLICATION. THE GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR SHALL DISCUSS THE
RELEVANT INDUSTRY, ANY APPLICABLE OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH, AND ANY APPLI-
CABLE TRAINING RELATING TO THE ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. THE
DISCUSSION SHALL INCLUDE AN EVALUATION OF THE APPLICANT'S CAPABILITIES,
NEEDS, FAMILY SITUATION, WORK HISTORY, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, ATTITUDE
AND MOTIVATION, EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, VOCATIONAL POTENTIAL, AND EMPLOYMENT
BARRIERS. THE DISCUSSION SHALL ALSO INCLUDE POTENTIAL START DATES,
SUPPORT NEEDS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM.
S. 6452 6
9. A. A PARTICIPANT IN AN ELIGIBLE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM WHO RECEIVES
TUITION ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOW-
ING:
(1) MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH STAFF MEMBERS FOR THE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM TO DOCUMENT THE APPLICANT'S PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM;
(2) SIGN A RELEASE FORM TO PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION TO COMMUNITY
COLLEGE FACULTY OR CASE MANAGERS;
(3) DISCUSS WITH STAFF MEMBERS FOR THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM ANY ISSUES
THAT MAY IMPACT THE PARTICIPANT'S ABILITY TO COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM, OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT, AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT OVER A PERIOD OF
TIME;
(4) ATTEND ALL REQUIRED COURSES REGULARLY; AND
(5) MEET WITH STAFF MEMBERS FOR THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A
JOB SEARCH PLAN.
B. A COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAY TERMINATE TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR A PARTIC-
IPANT WHO FAILS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS RULE. THE PROCESS TO
APPEAL A TERMINATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO A PARTICIPANT THROUGH THE GAP
TUITION ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR.
10. A. STATEWIDE OVERSIGHT, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING EFFORTS FOR THE
GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SHALL BE COORDINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
B. A STEERING COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE REGENTS,
AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONTINUING EDUCATION DEANS AND DIRECTORS, IS
ESTABLISHED TO DETERMINE IF THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES OF THE GAP TUITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ARE BEING MET AND TO CORRECT ANY DEFICIENCIES. THE
STEERING COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY TO EVALUATE AND MONITOR
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
C. A COMMON INTAKE TRACKING SYSTEM SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO BE IMPLE-
MENTED CONSISTENTLY BY EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THE COMMU-
NITY COLLEGES WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY IN ESTABLISHING THE SYSTEM AND THE
DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST IN GATHERING REQUIRED REPORTING DATA ELEMENTS
THROUGH THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS).
D. THE STEERING COMMITTEE WILL DEVELOP THE REQUIRED PROGRAM CRITERIA
FOR PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM AND GAP TUITION
ASSISTANCE-CERTIFIED PROGRAMS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE AND
PROGRAM FUNDING. THESE CRITERIA WILL BE DEVELOPED BASED ON BEST PRAC-
TICES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAMS THAT
PROVIDE A CLEAR SEQUENCE OF EDUCATION COURSEWORK AND CREDENTIALS ALIGNED
WITH REGIONAL WORKFORCE SKILL NEEDS; CLEARLY ARTICULATE FROM ONE LEVEL
OF INSTRUCTION TO THE NEXT; COMBINE OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS AND REMEDIAL
ADULT EDUCATION; LEAD TO THE ATTAINMENT OF A CREDENTIAL OR DEGREE;
ASSIST WITH JOB PLACEMENT; AND PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND SOCIAL AND SOCIOECO-
NOMIC SUPPORT SERVICES WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE INDIVIDUAL'S
SKILLS ATTAINMENT AND EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL.
S 3. The commissioner of education shall promulgate all rules and
regulations he or she deems necessary to implement the provisions of
this act on or before its effective date.
S 4. This act shall take effect on the first day of January next
succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law and shall
apply to all school years commencing on and after July first of the year
in which it becomes effective.