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.