§ 821. Title

This chapter may be cited as the “Dropout Prevention Act.”

§ 822. Definitions

(a) “Community based dropout prevention program” means a program or service provided by a public or private non-profit agency designed to support and supplement the dropout prevention program of the school district. (b) “Disciplinary program” means a program designed to provide intervention for students who are disruptive in the traditional school environment. (c) “Dropout retrieval […]

§ 823. Student eligibility and program criteria

All programs funded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter must be positive and reflect strong parental and community involvement. In addition, specific programs must meet the following criteria: (a) Educational Alternative Programs. (1) Educational alternative programs are programs that differ from traditional educational programs and schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy, curriculum, or setting. […]

§ 824. Program planning and implementation

(a) Each district may establish one or more alternative programs for dropout prevention at the elementary, junior high school or high school level. (b) Any school district desiring to receive state funding for a dropout prevention program shall develop a comprehensive dropout prevention program plan that describes all of the programs and services that the […]

§ 825. Evaluation

Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, each school district receiving funding for the dropout prevention programs shall submit an annual report to the Department of Education documenting the extent to which each of the district’s dropout prevention programs have been successful in meeting the objectives established for the district program. The Department shall compile all […]

§ 826. Staff development

Staff assigned to dropout prevention programs shall participate regularly in staff development activities relating to their specific duties and responsibilities pursuant to the district’s approved dropout prevention program plan and master in service plan.

§ 827. Records

Each district providing a program for dropout prevention under this chapter shall include maintain provisions of statistical and demographic data for each participating student for whom funding is generated, records documenting the student’s eligibility, the length of participation in the program, the type of program to which the student was assigned, and an administrative review […]

§ 828. Coordination with other agencies

School district dropout prevention programs must be coordinated with social services, law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial and juvenile justice agencies in the school district. These agencies may exchange information contained in student records and juvenile justice records with written permission from the parents of the students. School districts and other agencies receiving the information shall use […]

§ 829. Dropout prevention manual

The Department of Education shall develop a manual for school districts which includes presentation of the intent and goals of this chapter, requirements for comprehensive dropout prevention programs plans, examples of successful practices, identification of resources available to supplement educational programs, and any other information that will assist in the successful implementation of this chapter. […]

§ 830. Community-based dropout prevention program grants

(a) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, from funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose, the Department of Education may award grants on a competitive basis to public or private nonprofit organizations wishing to implement dropout retrieval activities or community-based dropout prevention programs. The Department of Education shall award the grants annually no […]

§ 831. Rules

The Department of Education may adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter; provided that such rules must require the minimum amount of paperwork and reporting necessary to comply with this act.