Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced about $6 million in grants to fund 16 Smart Scholars Early College High School projects in the state, including a handful in the Capital Region.
The Smart Scholars program provides students an opportunity to accelerate their high school studies at an early college high school, where they also earn college credit. The dual enrollment program is designed to increase high school graduation and college completion rates among demographics that have traditionally been left behind and not experienced the same levels of success.
Local recipients are:
u Schoharie Central School District, $199,999; it will partner with SUNY-Cobleskill, Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District, Middleburgh Central School District and Capital Region BOCES.
u Ballston Spa School District, $167,394; it will partner with Hudson Valley Community College,
u Schenectady County Community College, $319,565; it will partner with the Schenectady City School District.
Cuomo touted the Scholars program as a boon to many young New Yorkers. “Smart Scholars allows New York high school students to receive college credit, finish their degree faster and do it at a significantly reduced cost,” he said.
State Education Commissioner David Steiner expanded on the program, which he said is a key part of the Regents Reform Agenda. He said the success of the program revolved around linking the resources that the State University of New York has to offer with high schools and BOCES.
“We are grateful to Gov. Cuomo and the state Legislature for supporting this innovative engagement of high school students through college coursework,” Steiner said.
Categories: Schenectady County
