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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2018
For More Information Contact:

JP O'Hare

(518) 474-1201

Press@nysed.gov

www.nysed.gov

 

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State Education Department Awards $14 Million to 19 Smart Scholars Early College High School Programs

The New York State Education Department awarded $14 million in grants to 19 recipients (13 school districts and six colleges) to implement Smart Scholars Early College High School programs, Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced today. These grants will support partnerships between public school districts and eligible higher education institutions to provide historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students with the opportunity and support to earn an average of 24 college credits by the time they graduate high school. Funding for this initiative was approved by the Governor and Legislature in the 2017-2018 State budget.

“The Smart Scholars program continues to open doors for students who have been historically underrepresented in college,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “The program gives these students a chance to complete high school while earning college credit at the same time, saving them money and greatly improving their chances of earning a college degree.”

“I applaud the Governor and the Legislature for funding this critically important program,” said Commissioner Elia. “By providing academic and social support, Smart Scholars enables participating students to complete the high school-college continuum in less time and improves their chances for success in high school, college and thereafter.”

Since its inception in 2002, New York State has participated in the early college high school (ECHS) movement. In 2009, the New York State Board of Regents launched the Smart Scholars ECHS Program as a strategy to close the high school and college achievement gaps in New York State. ECHS programs target students who are historically underrepresented in postsecondary education, academically at-risk or economically disadvantaged. Successful ECHS students graduate prepared to complete a post-secondary degree on time or early, without the need for remedial courses.

Essential components of the Smart Scholars ECHS Program include:

  • an active partnership between a school district and an institution of higher education (IHE) to provide an integrated high school and college curriculum; and
  • the academic and social supports that students need to graduate high school on time with a Regents diploma and at least 24 transferable college credits, at no cost to their families.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, NYSED awarded five-year grants, including planning time, to the organizations listed below. The grant amounts reflect five years of funding.

Lead Organization

Partner(s)

County 

Grant Amount

Unadilla Valley Central School District

SUNY Morrisville, Tompkins Cortland Community College

Chenango

$775,000

Bard College

NYC Dept. of Education

Dutchess

$687,185

Buffalo City School District

Erie Community College

Erie

$461,333

Medgar Evers College

NYC Dept. of Education (Brooklyn Lab School)

Kings

$774,153

Medgar Evers College

NYC Dept. of Education (Brooklyn School for Social Justice)

Kings

$774,153

NYC Department of Education

Long Island University - Brooklyn

Kings

$738,206

Rochester City School District

Monroe Community College

Monroe

$775,000

Freeport Union Free school District

SUNY Farmingdale State College, Cradle of Aviation/ Long Island STEM Hub, Nassau BOCES

Nassau

$628,836

SUNY College at Old Westbury

Roosevelt Union Free School District

Nassau

$700,595

Syracuse City School District

Onondaga Community College

Onondaga

$775,000

Solvay Union Free School District

Onondaga Community College, SUNY Oswego, LeMoyne College

Onondaga

$775,000

East Syracuse Minoa City School District

Onondaga Community College, SUNY Oswego, LeMoyne College

Onondaga

$775,000

Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Marist College

Orange

$775,000

Fulton City School District

Cayuga Community College, Oswego County Workforce Development Board

Oswego

$775,000

East Ramapo Central School District

Rockland Community College, York analytical Laboratories, Inc., Wellcore, Inc.

Rockland

$775,000

Schenectady County Community College

Schenectady City School District

Schenectady

$770,217

Longwood Central School District

Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk

$775,000

Farmingdale State College

Brentwood Union Free School District

Suffolk

$711,601

Yonkers City School District

The College of Westchester

Westchester

$775,000

More information about the SS-ECHS program is available on the New York State Early College High School (ECHS) Programs website.