Bill Text: PA HB2485 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Providing for the Fast Track and Cost Relief Pilot Program.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-30 - Referred to EDUCATION [HB2485 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB2485-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 3687
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2485 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY GEORGE, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, GEIST, HARKINS, HORNAMAN, JOSEPHS, McGEEHAN, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, THOMAS, WATERS, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 30, 2010
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 30, 2010
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for the Fast Track and Cost
Relief Pilot Program.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) A college education is critical for young people to
maximize their chances for successful, productive lives.
(2) Broad access to high-quality college education is
necessary for this Commonwealth to maintain its economic
competitiveness, and a college-educated citizenry benefits
this Commonwealth by preparing all students to be lifelong
learners and successful, contributing citizens in a world
economy and global society.
(3) Many Pennsylvania students and families face serious
challenges in financing postsecondary education, and reducing
degree completion time would afford an option for students
and families to economize on higher education.
(4) It is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to
enact legislation that would establish a pilot program
providing for three-year bachelor's degree programs at
institutions of the State System of Higher Education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 2012.1-A. Fast Track and Cost Relief Pilot
Program.--(a) The board shall:
(1) Establish and administer the Fast Track and Cost Relief
Pilot Program that provides for three-year bachelor's degree
programs in six (6) system institutions located in different
geographical regions. The board shall design, implement and
evaluate the program to serve as a model for full-scale
implementation of the program.
(2) Establish guidelines for the program.
(3) Collaborate with the school districts to establish a
seamless and expanded credit transfer system for high school
students and other policies to facilitate student participation
in the program.
(4) Identify and propose any necessary changes to academic
courses of study, support services, financial aid and other
policies and resources at system institutions to maximize
opportunities for students to complete bachelor's degree
programs in three (3) years.
(5) Identify potential costs of the program, including costs
to students, the institutions and school districts, identify
possible sources of external grant funding for the program and
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propose a funding structure for the program.
(6) Investigate accreditation issues and Federal financial
aid rules that may be implicated by the program.
(7) Identify units at the system institutions that will
assume administrative responsibility for the program.
(b) The program shall begin with the fall academic semester
of 2010.
(c) The board shall present a report, recommendations and
timeline on full-scale implementation of the program to the
General Assembly on or before April 1, 2010.
(d) As used in this section, the term "program" shall mean
the Fast Track and Cost Relief Pilot Program.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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