N.Y. Education Law § 3641-a: Excelsior scholars program for grade seven mathematics and science students

§ 3641-a. Excelsior scholars program for grade seven mathematics and

science students. The commissioner shall establish an excelsior scholars

program for grade seven mathematics and science students pursuant to

this section and regulations of the commissioner adopted for such

purpose. Within the amounts appropriated for this purpose, the

commissioner shall award grants on a competitive basis to public and

independent colleges and universities to conduct summer programs that

shall provide advanced coursework in mathematics and science to students

designated as excelsior scholars and, as funds permit, other

high-performing students who have completed seventh grade.

1. Each year, the commissioner shall identify up to three thousand

high performing seventh grade students in mathematics and science from

students nominated by each public middle school, junior high school,

intermediate school or junior/senior high school, or kindergarten

through secondary school. The commissioner by regulation shall prescribe

the maximum number of students that may be nominated by each school,

which may vary based on the size of the school, which shall include

equal numbers of male and female students. After review by the

commissioner, qualified students shall be certified to the governor for

recognition as an excelsior scholar.

2. The commissioner shall conduct a competitive process under which

financial grants are awarded to each college and university approved to

provide appropriate advanced coursework to excelsior scholars in the

summer months, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for

such purpose.

3. The regulations of the commissioner shall provide for coordination

of the program with the seven centers for excellence in technology and

the programs offered by such centers, to the extent practicable.