See other bills
under the
same topic
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3628                      PRINTER'S NO. 3781

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 2466 Session of 2008


        INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, McILVAINE SMITH, HARKINS, GRUCELA, MILNE,
           RAPP, BELFANTI, BISHOP, BLACKWELL, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE,
           FRANKEL, GEORGE, HARPER, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS,
           MAHONEY, MANN, MYERS, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, READSHAW, SIPTROTH,
           K. SMITH, STEIL, SURRA, THOMAS, WILLIAMS, YOUNGBLOOD AND
           MURT, APRIL 15, 2008

        AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF
           REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MAY 14, 2008

                                     AN ACT

     1  Establishing and providing for the powers and duties of the       <--
     2     Office for Dropout Prevention and Data Collection in the
     3     Department of Education; and providing for grant funding for
     4     dropout prevention plans and dropout recovery programs.
     5  ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE       <--
     6     OFFICE FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION AND DATA COLLECTION IN THE
     7     DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AND PROVIDING FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR
     8     DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLANS AND DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS.
     9                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
    10  CHAPTER 1.  PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
    11  SECTION 101.  SHORT TITLE.
    12  SECTION 102.  FINDINGS.
    13  SECTION 103.  DEFINITIONS.
    14  CHAPTER 3.  OFFICE FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION AND DATA COLLECTION
    15  SECTION 301.  ESTABLISHMENT.
    16  SECTION 302.  POWERS AND DUTIES.
    17  SECTION 303.  DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.
    18  CHAPTER 5.  DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN AND DROP-OUT RECOVERY
    19                 PROGRAMS GRANTS
    20  SECTION 501.  DROP-OUT PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.
    21  SECTION 502.  DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM.
    22  SECTION 503.  GRANT APPLICATIONS.
    23  SECTION 504.  GRANT COORDINATOR.
    24  SECTION 505.  INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLANS.
    25  SECTION 506.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
    26  SECTION 507.  PRIORITY FUNDING.
    27  CHAPTER 7.  ADMINISTRATION
    28  SECTION 701.  REPORTING.
    29  CHAPTER 11.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS


     1  SECTION 1101.  INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM.
     2  SECTION 1102.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

     3     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     4  hereby enacts as follows:
     5                             CHAPTER 1                              <--
     6                       PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
     7  Section 101.  Short title.
     8     This act shall be known and may be cited as the Office for
     9  Dropout Prevention and Data Collection Act.
    10  Section 102.  Findings.
    11     The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
    12         (1)  Every year in Pennsylvania one out of five high
    13     school students fails to graduate.
    14         (2)  Pennsylvania was named one of 15 states containing
    15     80% of the high schools with the highest number of dropouts.
    16         (3)  The graduation gap is wide in urban districts.
    17     However, the dropout problem is a Statewide issue because one
    18     in eight suburban ninth graders and one in six rural ninth
    19     graders in 2000-2001 did not graduate from high school in the
    20     same district four years later.
    21         (4)  Dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, live in
    22     poverty, receive public assistance and spend time in prison,
    23     even death row.
    24         (5)  The ethnic gap between dropouts suggests that there
    25     has been an increase in Hispanic and economically
    26     disadvantaged students who drop out.
    27         (6)  A number of steps can be taken to help students stay
    28     on track for graduation. This act creates the Office for
    29     Dropout Prevention and Data Collection within the Department
    30     of Education to help the Commonwealth take a first step

    20080H2466B3781                  - 2 -     

     1     toward reducing and eliminating high school dropouts.
     2         (7)  This act will not only bring attention to the
     3     severity of the dropout problem, but also provide school
     4     districts with the necessary tools to assist students to
     5     graduate from high school.
     6  Section 103.  Definitions.
     7     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
     8  have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     9  context clearly indicates otherwise:
    10     "Alternative education program."  A program which is
    11  implemented by a school district, an area vocational-technical
    12  school, a group of school districts or an intermediate unit
    13  which removes disruptive students from regular school programs
    14  in order to provide those students with a sound educational
    15  course of study and counseling designed to modify disruptive
    16  behavior and return the students to a regular school curriculum.
    17     "At risk of dropping out."  A student at risk of educational
    18  failure as determined by the school district using research-
    19  based dropout indicators.
    20     "Career and technical school."  Any public or private
    21  postsecondary school that provides any form of education of less
    22  than college grade, given in school or elsewhere, the purpose of
    23  which is to assist an individual to pursue effectively a
    24  recognized profitable employment, whether pursued for wages or
    25  otherwise.
    26     "Community partner."  Any one of the following:
    27         (1)  Nonprofit community-based organization.
    28         (2)  Work force investment board.
    29         (3)  Youth council.
    30         (4)  Institution of higher education.
    20080H2466B3781                  - 3 -     

     1         (5)  Career and technical school.
     2         (6)  Alternative education program.
     3         (7)  Employer or nonprofit business organization.
     4         (8)  Nonprofit community and economic development
     5     organization.
     6         (9)  Other department-approved community or regional
     7     organization.
     8     "Department."  The Department of Education of the
     9  Commonwealth.
    10     "Dropout prevention plan."  A plan that uses evidence or
    11  research-based strategies to offer alternative measures to
    12  encourage students to remain in school and obtain a high school
    13  diploma and transition into postsecondary education or career
    14  training.
    15     "Dropout recovery program."  A program established that uses
    16  evidence or research-based strategies to reach out to those
    17  individuals who drop out of school prior to completion and offer
    18  them alternatives to obtaining their high school diplomas or
    19  passing the General Educational Development (GED) test battery.
    20     "Early indicator systems."  Research-based dropout indicators
    21  that identify students as early as sixth grade as potential
    22  future dropouts based on attendance, behavior, grades and grade
    23  promotion as determined by the school district.
    24     "Grant program."  The Dropout Prevention and Recovery Grant
    25  Program under Chapter 5.
    26     "Institution of higher education."  Any public or private
    27  two-year, four-year or higher postsecondary institution in this
    28  Commonwealth that has been accredited at the college level by an
    29  accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.
    30     "Nonprofit community-based organization."  A public or
    20080H2466B3781                  - 4 -     

     1  private nonprofit organization, governed by a community-based
     2  board of directors, which serves to provide access to
     3  educational and training resources or related services to
     4  individuals in the community.
     5     "Office."  The Office for Dropout Prevention and Data
     6  Collection established by this act.
     7     "Secretary."  The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
     8                             CHAPTER 3
     9         OFFICE FOR DROPOUT PREVENTION AND DATA COLLECTION
    10  Section 301.  Establishment.
    11     There is hereby established in the department the Office for
    12  Dropout Prevention and Data Collection.
    13  Section 302.  Powers and duties.
    14     The office shall have the following powers and duties:
    15         (1)  To create by the 2010-2011 school year a Statewide
    16     definition of a dropout and to develop standard formulas for
    17     and to annually calculate and report the graduation rates,
    18     dropout rates and graduation gap rates in this Commonwealth.
    19     The office may implement the National Governor's Association
    20     "Graduation Counts Compact," which seeks to improve
    21     collection, analysis and dissemination of graduation and
    22     dropout data and create a nationwide common, accurate
    23     graduation rate.
    24         (2)  To implement and maintain a high-quality data
    25     collection and reporting system that accurately accounts for
    26     all students when calculating high school graduation and
    27     dropout rates. The reporting system shall include the
    28     calculation of the graduation rates, dropout rates and the
    29     graduation gap rates in all public school districts and
    30     across all public schools. Data shall be disaggregated in the
    20080H2466B3781                  - 5 -     

     1     following categories: limited English proficiency, low
     2     income, special education, gifted education, race/ethnicity,
     3     gender and geographic area and other categories as determined
     4     by the office. The office shall ensure that the high-quality
     5     data collection and reporting system be accurate,
     6     transparent, uniform, both within school districts and
     7     Statewide, and accessible to school districts and
     8     Commonwealth residents by conducting audits on all data
     9     provided. The schedule for all audits shall be determined by
    10     the secretary.
    11         (3)  To ensure that all public school districts and
    12     public schools throughout this Commonwealth be provided with
    13     tools and sufficient funding for accurate reporting of high
    14     school graduation and dropout data.
    15         (4)  To increase coordination and collaboration among
    16     nonprofit community-based organizations, nonprofit business
    17     organizations, school districts, businesses, institutions of
    18     higher education, community leaders, parents and students in
    19     order to help lower the dropout rate and to increase efforts
    20     to help those who dropout, reenroll in and complete education
    21     programs including postsecondary education programs.
    22         (5)  To serve as a clearinghouse to collect, develop and
    23     disseminate information and implementation of policies,
    24     strategies and other information to assist in the development
    25     of dropout prevention plans and recovery programs to help
    26     lower the dropout rate.
    27         (6)  To distribute grants in a manner established by the
    28     office to school districts that apply for and are approved to
    29     receive a dropout prevention plan grant and to distribute
    30     grants in a manner established by the office to community
    20080H2466B3781                  - 6 -     

     1     partners that apply for and are approved to receive a dropout
     2     recovery program grant.
     3                             CHAPTER 5
     4                           GRANT PROGRAM
     5  Section 501.  Grant Program.
     6     (a)  Establishment.--In addition to the powers and duties set
     7  forth under section 302, the office is authorized to establish
     8  and administer grant funding for dropout prevention plans and
     9  dropout recovery programs.
    10     (b)  Dropout prevention plan grants.--The purpose of grant
    11  funding for a dropout prevention plan is to provide a school
    12  district, working in conjunction with a community partner, that
    13  applies, with funds to:
    14         (1)  Implement districtwide early indicator systems to
    15     identify students at risk of dropping out or students
    16     unlikely to graduate on time from high school without
    17     receiving school-based support. The early indicator system to
    18     identify students at risk of dropping out should include
    19     research-based dropout indicators, as determined by the
    20     district.
    21         (2)  Implement a districtwide intervention strategy to
    22     provide middle and high schools with high dropout rates with
    23     programs and awareness activities to inform all students of
    24     dropout risk factors.
    25         (3)  Implement more focused interventions for students
    26     who present one or more dropout risk factors, including, but
    27     not limited to, intensive academic remediation, summer
    28     transition programs and support systems for students during
    29     and beyond the first ninth grade marking period.
    30         (4)  Provide intensive supports for those students who
    20080H2466B3781                  - 7 -     

     1     are exhibiting several of the dropout risk factors and are in
     2     need of immediate prevention measures, including, but not
     3     limited to, high quality learning-to-work opportunities that
     4     offer career exploration, service learning opportunities and
     5     entrepreneurial experiences, that bring relevance to academic
     6     subjects.
     7         (5)  Offer alternative methods for at-risk students to
     8     obtain a high school diploma or to pass the General
     9     Educational Development (GED) test battery, which may include
    10     virtual or online education programs established by
    11     districts.
    12         (6)  Hire graduation coaches that help students to
    13     develop individual graduation plans and support their
    14     progress through middle and high school and provide students
    15     with postsecondary exposure and financial aid counseling so
    16     that students may move successfully into postsecondary
    17     education and training as well as career exploration, work
    18     preparation and skills development.
    19         (7)  Provide other activities, strategies or plans
    20     approved by the office, which may include innovative or pilot
    21     programs currently in use by a school district or community
    22     partner or established for the purpose of grant funding for a
    23     dropout prevention plan.
    24     (c)  Dropout recovery program grants.--The purpose of grant
    25  funding for a dropout recovery program is to provide a community
    26  partner, working in conjunction with a school district, that
    27  applies, with funds to:
    28         (1)  Create locally or regionally based community
    29     collaboration for outreach to dropouts and referral to local
    30     school districts and alternative education programs.
    20080H2466B3781                  - 8 -     

     1         (2)  Hire reengagement workers, who seek out, recruit and
     2     reengage dropouts for placement into high-quality educational
     3     programming.
     4         (3)  Implement low-literacy bridge programs for young
     5     people whose literacy and numeracy levels are too low for
     6     them to participate meaningfully in formal educational
     7     programming.
     8         (4)  Provide high-quality learning-to-work programs that
     9     offer in-depth job readiness and career exploration,
    10     including academic support, career and educational
    11     exploration, work preparation, skills development,
    12     internships and entrepreneurial experiences, designed to
    13     enhance the academic component of transfer high schools and
    14     accelerated high schools and GED programs.
    15         (5)  Provide occupational pipeline programs that provide
    16     youth who are out of school or returning from delinquent
    17     placement with department-approved career technical education
    18     in high-demand occupations.
    19         (6)  Provide postsecondary exposure and financial aid
    20     counseling that enable youth who pass the GED test battery to
    21     move successfully into postsecondary education and training.
    22         (7)  Provide other activities, strategies or programs
    23     approved by the office, which may include innovative or pilot
    24     programs currently in use by a community partner or school
    25     district or established for the purpose of grant funding for
    26     a dropout recovery program.
    27  Section 502.  Procedures.
    28     (a)  Grant applications.--The office shall develop an
    29  application for grants and make them available to school
    30  districts and community partners. The office shall annually
    20080H2466B3781                  - 9 -     

     1  review all grant applications for approval and distribute grants
     2  in a manner as determined by the office.
     3     (b)  School districts.--School districts shall submit the
     4  following with the dropout prevention plan grant application:
     5         (1)  A description of the dropout prevention plan that
     6     includes a comprehensive list of alternative education
     7     options and pathways to earn a diploma offered or planned to
     8     be offered by the school district.
     9         (2)  A description of the school district's current
    10     programs and services currently offered for dropout
    11     prevention.
    12         (3)  A description of how the grant will augment current
    13     dropout prevention plans or create additional dropout
    14     prevention initiatives.
    15         (4)  An estimate of the number of students who will be
    16     served by the grant and who require an individual graduation
    17     plan to be developed.
    18         (5)  A listing of the community partners that the school
    19     district will collaborate with and the partners' role in the
    20     delivery of the plan.
    21         (6)  Other relevant information as determined by the
    22     office.
    23     (c)  Community partners.--Community partners shall submit the
    24  following with the dropout recovery program grant application:
    25         (1)  A description of the dropout recovery program that
    26     includes a narrative on the outreach and referral strategy
    27     that will be utilized by the community partner.
    28         (2)  A description of the community partner's programs
    29     and services currently being used for dropout recovery.
    30         (3)  A description of how the grant will augment current
    20080H2466B3781                 - 10 -     

     1     dropout recovery programs or create additional dropout
     2     recovery initiatives.
     3         (4)  A listing of the school districts that the community
     4     partner will collaborate with and the agreement with the
     5     school districts in order to deliver the programs.
     6     (d)  Requirements.--
     7         (1)  Each school district receiving grant funding under
     8     the dropout prevention plan shall appoint a grant coordinator
     9     who shall be responsible for the administration of the grant
    10     in accordance with the requirements of this act.
    11         (2)  Each school district shall require that an
    12     individual graduation plan be prepared as set forth in this
    13     act for each student served by a dropout prevention plan
    14     receiving grant funding. The office shall provide additional
    15     funding to school districts, which apply and are approved to
    16     receive grant funding for a dropout prevention plan, for the
    17     development of individual graduation plans. This funding
    18     shall be in addition to the grant funding received for the
    19     dropout prevention plan.
    20         (3)  The department shall provide each school district,
    21     at the request of the district, receiving funding under the
    22     grant program with technical assistance, including, but not
    23     limited to, best practices or strategies to assist in the
    24     development of an effective dropout prevention plan and
    25     dropout recovery program that will enhance the school
    26     district's ability to meet the diverse needs of its student
    27     population. Technical assistance shall include several
    28     research-based alternative options and strategies and may be
    29     provided through online training programs.
    30     (e)  Funding priorities.--School districts determined to have
    20080H2466B3781                 - 11 -     

     1  a dropout rate higher than the State average shall receive
     2  priority funding for a grant for a dropout prevention plan and
     3  dropout recovery program.
     4  Section 503.  Individual graduation plan.
     5     (a)  General rules.--Each school district that applies for
     6  and is approved to receive a grant for a dropout prevention plan
     7  shall require that an individual graduation plan be developed
     8  for each student receiving services funded with grant moneys.
     9     (b)  Contents.--An individual graduation plan must:
    10         (1)  Identify educational goals for the student.
    11         (2)  Provide tools and assistance in career exploration.
    12         (3)  Include diagnostic information, appropriate
    13     monitoring and intervention and other evaluation strategies.
    14         (4)  Provide opportunities for high-quality learning-to-
    15     work programs, internships, service learning and
    16     entrepreneurial experiences.
    17         (5)  Provide postsecondary exposure and financial aid
    18     counseling.
    19         (6)  Address participation of the student's parent or
    20     guardian, including consideration of the parent's or
    21     guardian's educational expectations for the student.
    22         (7)  Provide innovative methods to promote the student's
    23     advancement, including flexible scheduling, alternative
    24     learning environments, online instruction and other
    25     interventions that are proven to accelerate the learning
    26     process and have been scientifically validated to improve
    27     learning and cognitive ability.
    28     (c)  Individualized education program.--Notwithstanding
    29  subsection (b), a student's individualized education program
    30  developed under 22 Pa.Code Ch. 14 (relating to special education
    20080H2466B3781                 - 12 -     

     1  services and programs) may be used as the student's individual
     2  graduation plan under this section.
     3                             CHAPTER 7
     4                           ADMINISTRATION
     5  Section 701.  Reporting.
     6     (a)  Contents.--Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year and
     7  each school year thereafter, the office shall annually prepare a
     8  report and provide a copy of the report to the Education
     9  Committee of the Senate and the Education Committee of the House
    10  of Representatives and shall post a copy of the report on the
    11  department's publicly accessible Internet website by September
    12  of each year, that contains, at a minimum, the following:
    13         (1)  All dropout, graduation and graduation gap rates
    14     reported by school districts, including school level data,
    15     disaggregated by the factors used to identify a student at
    16     risk of dropping out and including classification by low
    17     income, special education, gifted education, race, ethnicity,
    18     gender and geographic area.
    19         (2)  Highest grade level completed and age prior to
    20     leaving school without graduating.
    21         (3)  Number of students served by the dropout prevention
    22     plan and the dropout recovery program grants.
    23         (4)  Identification of school districts and community
    24     partners who received the dropout prevention plan and the
    25     dropout recovery program grants and the total amount
    26     received.
    27         (5)  An evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs
    28     or services for which a grant for the dropout prevention
    29     plans and dropout recovery programs are made.
    30     (b)  Uniform reporting.--School districts shall use the
    20080H2466B3781                 - 13 -     

     1  definitions and formulas established by the department when
     2  reporting the graduation rates, dropout rates and graduation gap
     3  rates to the department. School districts shall report these
     4  rates annually and include school level data, as provided by the
     5  office, on a form and in a manner to be developed and provided
     6  by the office.
     7     (c)  Regulations, guidelines and standards.--The office may
     8  develop any regulations, guidelines or standards required for
     9  the implementation of this act.
    10                             CHAPTER 11
    11                      MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
    12  Section 1101.  Effective date.
    13     This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.
    14                             CHAPTER 1                              <--
    15                       PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
    16  SECTION 101.  SHORT TITLE.
    17     THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE DROP-OUT
    18  PREVENTION AND DATA COLLECTION ACT.
    19  SECTION 102.  FINDINGS.
    20     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
    21         (1)  SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES IN SCHOOL DISTRICT
    22     REPORTING, DROP-OUT STATISTICS AND GRADUATION RATE FORMULAS
    23     EXIST NATIONWIDE.
    24         (2)  THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RECENTLY
    25     ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL
    26     REQUIRE ALL STATES TO USE A FEDERAL FORMULA FOR THE
    27     CALCULATION OF DROP-OUT AND GRADUATION RATES.
    28         (3)  THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S
    29     STATISTICS BETWEEN THE 1995-1996 AND 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEARS
    30     SHOW THAT DROP-OUT RATES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH MAY HAVE
    20080H2466B3781                 - 14 -     

     1     DECREASED STATEWIDE, BUT SERIOUS QUESTIONS EXIST REGARDING
     2     THE UNIFORMITY IN REPORTING, AND THEREFORE, THE RELIABILITY
     3     OF THAT DATA.
     4         (4)  RESEARCH INDICATES THAT STUDENTS WHO DROP OUT OF
     5     SCHOOL ARE LIKELY TO EARN FAR LESS MONEY THROUGHOUT THEIR
     6     LIVES THAN COLLEGE OR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND EXPERIENCE
     7     TEEN PREGNANCY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CRIME AND INCARCERATION.
     8         (5)  THIS COMMONWEALTH MUST BE PREPARED TO PRIORITIZE
     9     DROP-OUT PREVENTION IN LIGHT OF A FORTHCOMING FEDERAL DROP-
    10     OUT RATE FORMULA FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT COULD PROVIDE
    11     THIS COMMONWEALTH WITH MORE ACCURATE DATA ON THE NUMBER OF
    12     DROPOUTS PER YEAR IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
    13         (6)  THE COMMONWEALTH SHOULD TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO HELP
    14     STUDENTS STAY ENGAGED AND ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION FROM HIGH
    15     SCHOOL.
    16         (7)  SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND
    17     STRATEGIES TO HELP ESTABLISH AND SUSTAIN PROGRAMMING TO
    18     REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DROPOUTS.
    19  SECTION 103.  DEFINITIONS.
    20     THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL
    21  HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE
    22  CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
    23     "ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOL."  A HIGH SCHOOL ALLOWING AT-RISK
    24  STUDENTS TO ACCELERATE THEIR GRADUATION DATES THROUGH FLEXIBLE
    25  SCHEDULING AND FOR-CREDIT INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND COURSES TAUGHT
    26  BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR
    27  FIELDS.
    28     "ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM."  AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT
    29  PROMOTES THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ACADEMIC NEEDS OF AT-RISK
    30  STUDENTS AND STUDENTS UNSUCCESSFUL IN A TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL
    20080H2466B3781                 - 15 -     

     1  ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TRANSFER HIGH
     2  SCHOOLS, ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOLS, MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS,
     3  GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) PROGRAMS AND OTHER
     4  PROGRAMS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE.
     5     "AT-RISK STUDENT."  A STUDENT ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL
     6  DISTRICT WHO IS AT RISK OF DROPPING OUT AS INDICATED BY AT LEAST
     7  ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
     8         (1)  A PAST RECORD OF IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE.
     9         (2)  A PAST RECORD OF UNDERACHIEVEMENT IN WHICH THE
    10     STUDENT IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR BEHIND THE COURSEWORK FOR THE
    11     RESPECTIVE GRADE LEVEL.
    12         (3)  A PAST RECORD OF LOW MOTIVATION OR DISINTEREST IN
    13     THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
    14         (4)  A HISTORY OF DISCIPLINE OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.
    15         (5)  A DISADVANTAGED SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND.
    16         (6)  A LACK OF PARENTAL OR ADULT SUPPORT.
    17         (7)  OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE,
    18     INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TEENAGE PREGNANCY OR
    19     PARENTING, RESIDENCE IN A HOMELESS SHELTER OR TEMPORARY
    20     LIVING ARRANGEMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT,
    21     OR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.
    22     "CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL."  ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
    23  POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES A FORM OF EDUCATION OF LESS
    24  THAN COLLEGE GRADE, GIVEN IN SCHOOL OR ELSEWHERE, THE PURPOSE OF
    25  WHICH IS TO ASSIST AN INDIVIDUAL TO EFFECTIVELY PURSUE
    26  RECOGNIZED PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT, WHETHER FOR WAGES OR
    27  OTHERWISE.
    28     "CHARTER SCHOOL."  THE TERM SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS IN
    29  SECTION 1703-A OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14),
    30  KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 16 -     

     1     "CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL."  THE TERM SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING
     2  AS IN SECTION 1703-A OF ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14),
     3  KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949.
     4     "COMMUNITY PARTNER."  ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
     5         (1)  NONPROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION.
     6         (2)  WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD.
     7         (3)  YOUTH COUNCIL.
     8         (4)  INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
     9         (5)  CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
    10         (6)  ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM.
    11         (7)  EMPLOYER OR NONPROFIT BUSINESS ORGANIZATION.
    12         (8)  NONPROFIT COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
    13     ORGANIZATION.
    14         (9)  OTHER DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-APPROVED COMMUNITY OR
    15     REGIONAL ORGANIZATION.
    16     "DEPARTMENT."  THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE
    17  COMMONWEALTH.
    18     "DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN."  A PLAN THAT USES EVIDENCE OR
    19  RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO OFFER ALTERNATIVE MEASURES TO
    20  ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL AND OBTAIN A HIGH SCHOOL
    21  DIPLOMA AND TRANSITION INTO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR CAREER
    22  TRAINING.
    23     "DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM."  A PROGRAM THAT USES EVIDENCE OR
    24  RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO REACH OUT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO
    25  DROP OUT OF SCHOOL PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL'S
    26  ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND OFFER THEM ALTERNATIVES TO OBTAINING THEIR
    27  HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS OR PASSING THE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL
    28  DEVELOPMENT (GED) TEST BATTERY.
    29     "EARLY WARNING SYSTEM."  A RESEARCH-BASED SYSTEM DESIGNED AND
    30  ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND MADE AVAILABLE TO
    20080H2466B3781                 - 17 -     

     1  SCHOOL ENTITIES AT NO COST FOR USE TO HELP IDENTIFY AT-RISK
     2  STUDENTS.
     3     "GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEST BATTERY" OR "GED TEST
     4  BATTERY."  A BATTERY OF FIVE TESTS WHICH, WHEN PASSED, CERTIFIES
     5  THAT THE TAKER HAS AMERICAN-LEVEL ACADEMIC SKILLS.
     6     "GRADUATION GAP."  THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THE
     7  NINTH GRADE AND DID NOT GRADUATE FROM THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL IN
     8  THE SAME DISTRICT FOUR YEARS LATER.
     9     "INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION."  ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
    10  TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR OR HIGHER POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION IN THIS
    11  COMMONWEALTH THAT HAS BEEN ACCREDITED AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL BY AN
    12  ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.
    13     "LEARNING-TO-WORK PROGRAM."  A SUPERVISED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
    14  OFFERED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INCORPORATES PRACTICAL WORK
    15  EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC STUDY. THIS TERM SHALL INCLUDE
    16  COOPERATIVE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
    17     "MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL."  A SMALL HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED ON
    18  OR ADJACENT TO A TWO-YEAR OR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, THEREBY
    19  PROVIDING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE COLLEGE COURSES AND
    20  HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH SERVES STUDENTS WHO
    21  ARE ACADEMICALLY ABLE BUT UNDERACHIEVING AND DISENGAGED AND MAY
    22  HAVE A HIGH ABSENTEEISM RATE, DESIGNED TO FILL A GAP IN CURRENT
    23  EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS IN A COUNTY AND SERVE A STUDENT POPULATION
    24  THAT IS STRUGGLING IN THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
    25     "NONPROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION."  A PUBLIC OR
    26  PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, GOVERNED BY A COMMUNITY-BASED
    27  BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH SERVES TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO
    28  EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING RESOURCES OR RELATED SERVICES TO
    29  INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY.
    30     "OFFICE."  THE OFFICE FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION AND DATA
    20080H2466B3781                 - 18 -     

     1  COLLECTION ESTABLISHED BY THIS ACT.
     2     "SCHOOL DISTRICT."  THE TERM SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS
     3  IN SECTION 102 OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14),
     4  KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949.
     5     "SCHOOL ENTITY."  THE TERM SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS IN
     6  SECTION 1101-A OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14),
     7  KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949.
     8     "SECRETARY."  THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
     9     "SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS."  TEACHING METHODS THAT COMBINE
    10  MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY WITH CURRICULUM-BASED LEARNING
    11  THROUGH WHICH STUDENTS IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC SKILLS BY APPLYING
    12  WHAT THEY LEARN IN SCHOOL TO THE REAL WORLD AND THEN REFLECT ON
    13  THEIR EXPERIENCES TO REINFORCE THE LINK BETWEEN THEIR SERVICE
    14  AND THEIR LEARNING.
    15     "TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOL."  A SMALL, FULL-TIME HIGH SCHOOL
    16  OPERATED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    17  AND DESIGNED TO REENGAGE STUDENTS WHO EXCEED THE AGE LIMITATION
    18  IN SECTION 1301 OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14),
    19  KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, OR HAVE DROPPED OUT OF
    20  HIGH SCHOOL. THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOLS
    21  INCLUDE:
    22         (1)  A PERSONALIZED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
    23         (2)  RIGOROUS ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 22
    24     PA. CODE CH. 4 (RELATING TO ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND
    25     ASSESSMENT).
    26         (3)  STUDENT-CENTERED PEDAGOGY.
    27         (4)  SUPPORT TO MEET INSTRUCTIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
    28     GOALS.
    29         (5)  A FOCUS ON CONNECTIONS TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR
    30     CAREERS.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 19 -     

     1     "YOUTH COUNCIL."  LOCALLY SPONSORED YOUTH EDUCATION AND
     2  DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT USE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO BECOME
     3  MENTORS TO TEACH ADOLESCENTS HOW TO WORK WITHIN THEIR LOCAL
     4  POLITICAL SYSTEM.
     5                             CHAPTER 3
     6                   OFFICE FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION
     7                        AND DATA COLLECTION
     8  SECTION 301.  ESTABLISHMENT.
     9     THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE DEPARTMENT THE OFFICE FOR
    10  DROP-OUT PREVENTION AND DATA COLLECTION.
    11  SECTION 302.  POWERS AND DUTIES.
    12     THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES:
    13         (1)  TO CREATE BY THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR A STATEWIDE
    14     DEFINITION OF "DROPOUT," IF NONE IS PROVIDED BY FEDERAL
    15     STATUTE, REGULATION OR GUIDELINE AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
    16     FEDERAL STATUTE, REGULATION OR GUIDELINE, REPORT THE
    17     GRADUATION RATES, DROP-OUT RATES AND GRADUATION-GAP RATES IN
    18     THIS COMMONWEALTH.
    19         (2)  TO IMPLEMENT AND MAINTAIN A HIGH-QUALITY DATA
    20     COLLECTION AND REPORTING SYSTEM THAT ACCURATELY ACCOUNTS FOR
    21     ALL STUDENTS WHEN CALCULATING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND
    22     DROP-OUT RATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS OR
    23     GUIDELINES. THE REPORTING SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE THE
    24     CALCULATION OF GRADUATION RATES, DROP-OUT RATES AND THE
    25     GRADUATION-GAP RATES IN ALL SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER SCHOOLS
    26     AND CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS.
    27         (3)  TO ENSURE THAT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE PROVIDED
    28     WITH TOOLS AND SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR ACCURATE REPORTING OF
    29     GRADUATION AND DROP-OUT DATA.
    30         (4)  TO INCREASE COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION AMONG
    20080H2466B3781                 - 20 -     

     1     NONPROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL ENTITIES,
     2     BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND PARENTS IN
     3     ORDER TO HELP LOWER THE DROP-OUT RATE.
     4         (5)  TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO REENGAGE THOSE INDIVIDUALS
     5     WHO PREVIOUSLY DROPPED OUT AND THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING
     6     DROPPING OUT, AND TO ENCOURAGE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DROP OUT
     7     TO REENROLL IN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL
     8     PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
     9         (6)  TO SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION, POLICIES
    10     AND STRATEGIES AIMED AT DECREASING THE NUMBER OF DROPOUTS AND
    11     AIDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DROP-OUT
    12     PREVENTION PLANS.
    13         (7)  TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR
    14     SCHOOL ENTITIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS AIMED AT ESTABLISHING
    15     AND MAINTAINING DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS.
    16         (8)  TO DISTRIBUTE GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
    17     REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY
    18     PARTNERS THAT APPLY FOR AND ARE APPROVED TO RECEIVE A DROP-
    19     OUT PREVENTION PLAN OR DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT.
    20         (9)  TO REQUIRE SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND
    21     CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS TO REPORT STUDENT DROP-OUT INFORMATION
    22     TO THE DEPARTMENT USING THE OFFICES' DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM.
    23  SECTION 303.  DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.
    24     (A)  CATEGORIES.--PURSUANT TO SECTION 302, DATA COLLECTED BY
    25  THE OFFICE ON DROP-OUT, GRADUATION AND GRADUATION-GAP RATES
    26  SHALL BE DISAGGREGATED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
    27         (1)  LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.
    28         (2)  LOW INCOME.
    29         (3)  SPECIAL EDUCATION.
    30         (4)  GIFTED EDUCATION.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 21 -     

     1         (5)  RACE/ETHNICITY.
     2         (6)  SCHOOL ENTITY.
     3         (7)  CHARTER SCHOOL OR CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL.
     4         (8)  GENDER.
     5         (9)  GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
     6         (10)  OTHER CATEGORIES AS DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE.
     7     (B)  AVAILABILITY.--THE OFFICE SHALL ENSURE THAT THE DATA
     8  COLLECTION AND REPORTING SYSTEM BE ACCURATE, UNIFORM AND
     9  ACCESSIBLE TO SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER SCHOOLS, CYBER CHARTER
    10  SCHOOLS AND COMMONWEALTH RESIDENTS VIA THE DEPARTMENT'S PUBLICLY
    11  ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE.
    12                             CHAPTER 5
    13                    DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN AND
    14                 DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS GRANTS
    15  SECTION 501.  DROP-OUT PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.
    16     (A)  ESTABLISHMENT.--THE OFFICE SHALL ESTABLISH AND
    17  ADMINISTER A DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN GRANT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO
    18  THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 302 WITH MONEYS APPROPRIATED BY THE
    19  GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
    20     (B)  DROP-OUT PREVENTION GRANT USE.--A SCHOOL DISTRICT,
    21  WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH A COMMUNITY PARTNER, THAT RECEIVES A
    22  DROP-OUT PREVENTION GRANT PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
    23  ACT, SHALL USE THE GRANT TO ESTABLISH, DEVELOP OR MAINTAIN DROP-
    24  OUT PREVENTION PROGRAMS OR STRATEGIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
    25  LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
    26         (1)  HIRE NECESSARY PERSONNEL TO IMPLEMENT OR MAINTAIN AN
    27     EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AT-RISK STUDENTS OR STUDENTS
    28     UNLIKELY TO GRADUATE ON TIME FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT
    29     RECEIVING SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT.
    30         (2)  IMPLEMENT AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY WITHIN SCHOOL
    20080H2466B3781                 - 22 -     

     1     DISTRICTS WITH DROP-OUT RATES ABOVE THE STATE AVERAGE WITH
     2     SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES TO INFORM ALL
     3     STUDENTS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
     4     AT-RISK STUDENTS AND THE FUTURE IMPACT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S NOT
     5     RECEIVING A DIPLOMA.
     6         (3)  IMPLEMENT STUDENT INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE
     7     INDIVIDUALS WHO PRESENT TWO OR MORE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AT-
     8     RISK STUDENT. INTERVENTION STRATEGIES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT
     9     SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, INTENSIVE ACADEMIC REMEDIATION,
    10     SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAMS AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
    11     DURING AND BEYOND THE FIRST NINTH-GRADE MARKING PERIOD.
    12         (4)  PROVIDE INTENSIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR THOSE
    13     STUDENTS EXHIBITING MORE THAN TWO OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
    14     AN AT-RISK STUDENT AND IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE DROP-OUT
    15     PREVENTION ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
    16     LEARNING-TO-WORK OPPORTUNITIES THAT OFFER CAREER EXPLORATION,
    17     SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES
    18     AND OTHER DROP-OUT PREVENTION STRATEGIES APPROVED BY THE
    19     OFFICE THAT BRING RELEVANCE TO ACADEMIC SUBJECT AREAS.
    20         (5)  OFFER ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS TO
    21     OBTAIN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR TO PASS THE GED TEST BATTERY,
    22     WHICH MAY INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, VIRTUAL OR
    23     ONLINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED, SPONSORED OR MADE
    24     AVAILABLE BY AT-RISK STUDENTS' RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
    25         (6)  PROVIDE AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH EXPOSURE TO
    26     POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, CAREER EXPLORATION, WORK PREPARATION
    27     AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND FACILITATE FINANCIAL AID
    28     COUNSELING FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.
    29         (7)  PROVIDE OTHER DROP-OUT PREVENTION ACTIVITIES,
    30     STRATEGIES OR PLANS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE, WHICH MAY
    20080H2466B3781                 - 23 -     

     1     INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, INNOVATIVE OR PILOT
     2     DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLANS CURRENTLY IN USE OR PROPOSED BY A
     3     SCHOOL DISTRICT OR A COMMUNITY PARTNER.
     4  SECTION 502.  DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM.
     5     (A)  ESTABLISHMENT.--THE OFFICE SHALL ESTABLISH AND
     6  ADMINISTER A DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION
     7  302 WITH MONEYS APPROPRIATED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
     8     (B)  GRANT USE.--A COMMUNITY PARTNER, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION
     9  WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT RECEIVES A DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT
    10  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT, SHALL USE THE GRANT TO
    11  ESTABLISH, DEVELOP OR MAINTAIN EVIDENCE OR RESEARCH-BASED, DROP-
    12  OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES. PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES
    13  SHALL INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
    14         (1)  PROVIDE OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS TO DROPOUTS
    15     THROUGH A LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY BASED COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
    16     BETWEEN A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A COMMUNITY PARTNER.
    17         (2)  HIRE INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK OUT, RECRUIT AND WORK TO
    18     REENGAGE DROPOUTS FOR PLACEMENT INTO ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL
    19     PROGRAMMING.
    20         (3)  IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LITERACY
    21     AND NUMERACY LEVELS ARE TOO LOW FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE
    22     MEANINGFULLY IN FORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
    23         (4)  PROVIDE LEARNING-TO-WORK PROGRAMS THAT OFFER IN-
    24     DEPTH JOB READINESS AND CAREER EXPLORATION, INCLUDING
    25     ACADEMIC SUPPORT, WORK PREPARATION, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT,
    26     INTERNSHIPS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO
    27     ENHANCE THE ACADEMIC COMPONENT OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
    28     PROGRAMS.
    29         (5)  PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL PREPARATION PROGRAMS THAT OFFER
    30     DROPOUTS OR THOSE INDIVIDUALS RETURNING FROM DELINQUENT
    20080H2466B3781                 - 24 -     

     1     PLACEMENT, OR BOTH, WITH APPROVED CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
     2     IN HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS.
     3         (6)  PROVIDE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION EXPOSURE AND
     4     FACILITATE FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING FOR DROPOUTS WHO SEEK TO
     5     PARTICIPATE IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR JOB TRAINING.
     6         (7)  PROVIDE OTHER ACTIVITIES, STRATEGIES OR PROGRAMS
     7     APPROVED BY THE OFFICE, WHICH MAY INCLUDE INNOVATIVE OR DROP-
     8     OUT RECOVERY PILOT PROGRAMS CURRENTLY IN USE OR PROPOSED BY A
     9     COMMUNITY PARTNER OR A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
    10  SECTION 503.  GRANT APPLICATIONS.
    11     (A)  OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES.--THE OFFICE SHALL DEVELOP TWO
    12  SEPARATE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLANS AND
    13  DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS. THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE
    14  APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY
    15  PARTNERS ON THE DEPARTMENT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET
    16  WEBSITE. THE OFFICE SHALL ANNUALLY REVIEW ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS
    17  FOR APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTE GRANTS TO SELECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS
    18  AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR.
    19     (B)  APPLICATION FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN GRANTS.--A
    20  SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING WITH A DROP-OUT
    21  PREVENTION PLAN APPLICATION:
    22         (1)  A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CURRENT OR
    23     PROPOSED DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN THAT INCLUDES A
    24     COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND
    25     PATHWAYS TO EARN A DIPLOMA.
    26         (2)  A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PROGRAMS,
    27     SERVICES AND STRATEGIES AIMED AT DROP-OUT PREVENTION.
    28         (3)  A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE GRANT WILL AUGMENT A
    29     CURRENT DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN OR CREATE ADDITIONAL DROP-
    30     OUT PREVENTION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 25 -     

     1         (4)  AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO WILL BE
     2     SERVED BY A DROP-OUT PREVENTION GRANT AND WHO WILL BE
     3     PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLANS.
     4         (5)  A LISTING OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT THE SCHOOL
     5     DISTRICT WILL COLLABORATE WITH AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS'
     6     ROLES IN THE DELIVERY OF THE DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN.
     7         (6)  OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION AS DETERMINED BY THE
     8     OFFICE.
     9     (C)  APPLICATION FOR DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM GRANTS.--A
    10  COMMUNITY PARTNER WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT
    11  SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING WITH THE DROP-OUT RECOVERY GRANT
    12  APPLICATION:
    13         (1)  A DESCRIPTION OF THE DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM THAT
    14     INCLUDES A SUMMARY OF THE OUTREACH AND REFERRAL STRATEGY THAT
    15     WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE COMMUNITY PARTNER AND SCHOOL DISTRICT
    16     TO REENGAGE DROPOUTS INTO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
    17         (2)  A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNER'S PROGRAMS
    18     AND SERVICES CURRENTLY USED FOR DROP-OUT RECOVERY.
    19         (3)  A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE GRANT WILL AUGMENT CURRENT
    20     DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS OR CREATE ADDITIONAL DROP-OUT
    21     RECOVERY INITIATIVES.
    22         (4)  IN THE CASE WHERE A COMMUNITY PARTNER COLLABORATES
    23     WITH MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OFFER A REGIONAL DROP-
    24     OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM, A LISTING OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
    25     COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WILL COLLABORATE AND THE AGREEMENT
    26     BETWEEN THE ENTITIES DESIGNATING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE
    27     PROGRAM.
    28  SECTION 504.  GRANT COORDINATOR.
    29     EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY PARTNER THAT RECEIVES A
    30  GRANT FOR A DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN OR DROP-OUT RECOVERY
    20080H2466B3781                 - 26 -     

     1  PROGRAM SHALL APPOINT A GRANT COORDINATOR WHO SHALL BE
     2  RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT IN ACCORDANCE
     3  WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT.
     4  SECTION 505.  INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLANS.
     5     (A)  GENERAL RULE.--EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVING A DROP-OUT
     6  PREVENTION GRANT SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO
     7  PREPARE INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLANS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS SERVED
     8  BY THE DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN GRANT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
     9     (B)  CONTENTS.--AN INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLAN MAY INCLUDE,
    10  BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
    11         (1)  IDENTIFY EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND ESTABLISH PERSONAL
    12     GOALS FOR AN AT-RISK STUDENT.
    13         (2)  PROVIDE TOOLS AND ASSISTANCE IN POSTSECONDARY AND
    14     CAREER EXPLORATION, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING AND
    15     ASSISTANCE.
    16         (3)  TRACK ASSESSMENT RESULTS AND EDUCATIONAL HISTORY AND
    17     PROVIDE APPROPRIATE MONITORING AND ACADEMIC INTERVENTION AND
    18     OTHER EVALUATION STRATEGIES AS DETERMINED BY THE SCHOOL
    19     DISTRICT.
    20         (4)  TRACK AT-RISK STUDENT SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS,
    21     LEARNING-TO-WORK EXPERIENCES, ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES AND
    22     EXTRACURRICULAR AND ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES.
    23         (5)  ADDRESS PARTICIPATION OF THE AT-RISK STUDENT'S
    24     PARENTS OR GUARDIAN, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF THE PARENTS'
    25     OR GUARDIAN'S EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS FOR THE STUDENT.
    26         (6)  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE SCHOOL
    27     DISTRICT.
    28  SECTION 506.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
    29     AT THE REQUEST OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
    30  PROVIDE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE,
    20080H2466B3781                 - 27 -     

     1  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BEST PRACTICES OR STRATEGIES TO
     2  ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE DROP-OUT PREVENTION
     3  PLAN OR DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM, OR BOTH, AND INDIVIDUAL
     4  GRADUATION PLANS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE
     5  SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF ITS
     6  STUDENT POPULATION AND COMMUNITY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SHALL
     7  INCLUDE RESEARCH-BASED ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS AND STRATEGIES AND
     8  MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
     9  SECTION 507.  PRIORITY FUNDING.
    10     SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS LOCATED IN SCHOOL
    11  DISTRICTS THAT THE OFFICE DETERMINES AS HAVING A DROP-OUT RATE
    12  HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE SHALL RECEIVE PRIORITY WHEN
    13  CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN GRANTS AND
    14  DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM GRANTS.
    15                             CHAPTER 7
    16                           ADMINISTRATION
    17  SECTION 701.  REPORTING.
    18     BEGINNING IN THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR AND EACH SCHOOL YEAR
    19  THEREAFTER, THE OFFICE SHALL ANNUALLY PREPARE A REPORT AND
    20  PROVIDE A COPY OF THE REPORT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE
    21  SENATE AND THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF
    22  REPRESENTATIVES AND SHALL POST A COPY OF THE REPORT ON THE
    23  DEPARTMENT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE BY SEPTEMBER 1
    24  OF EACH YEAR, THAT CONTAINS, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING:
    25         (1)  ALL DROP-OUT, GRADUATION AND GRADUATION-GAP RATES
    26     REPORTED BY SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CYBER
    27     CHARTER SCHOOLS, INCLUDING SCHOOL-LEVEL DATA, DISAGGREGATED
    28     BY THE FACTORS USED TO IDENTIFY AN AT-RISK STUDENT AND THE
    29     FOLLOWING CLASSIFICATIONS:
    30             (I)  LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 28 -     

     1             (II)  LOW INCOME.
     2             (III)  SPECIAL EDUCATION.
     3             (IV)  GIFTED EDUCATION.
     4             (V)  RACE/ETHNICITY.
     5             (VI)  GENDER.
     6             (VII)  SCHOOL ENTITY.
     7             (VIII)  GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
     8         (2)  HIGHEST GRADE LEVEL COMPLETED AND AGE PRIOR TO
     9     DROPPING OUT.
    10         (3)  NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED BY THE DROP-OUT PREVENTION
    11     PLAN AND DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM GRANTS.
    12         (4)  IDENTIFICATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY
    13     PARTNERS WHO RECEIVED EITHER A DROP-OUT PREVENTION PLAN GRANT
    14     OR A DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAM GRANT AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT THE
    15     ENTITIES RECEIVED.
    16         (5)  AN EVALUATION OF THE GRANT DOLLARS' EFFECTIVENESS IN
    17     AIDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORKING IN
    18     CONJUNCTION WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE SUCCESSFUL DROP-
    19     OUT PREVENTION PLANS AND DROP-OUT RECOVERY PROGRAMS.
    20     (B)  UNIFORM REPORTING.--SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND
    21  CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL USE THE DEFINITIONS AND FORMULAS
    22  ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT IF NO FEDERAL STATUTE, REGULATION
    23  OR GUIDELINE EXISTS WHEN REPORTING THE GRADUATION, DROP-OUT AND
    24  GRADUATION-GAP RATES TO THE OFFICE. SCHOOL ENTITIES, CHARTER
    25  SCHOOLS AND CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL REPORT THESE RATES
    26  ANNUALLY, AS REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE, ON A FORM TO BE DEVELOPED
    27  AND PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE.
    28     (C)  GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS.--THE OFFICE MAY DEVELOP ANY
    29  GUIDELINES OR STANDARDS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE REQUIREMENTS
    30  OF THIS ACT.
    20080H2466B3781                 - 29 -     

     1                             CHAPTER 11
     2                      MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     3  SECTION 1101.  INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM.
     4     NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 505, A STUDENT'S INDIVIDUALIZED
     5  EDUCATION PROGRAM DEVELOPED UNDER 22 PA. CODE CH. 14 (RELATING
     6  TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS) MAY BE USED AS THE
     7  STUDENT'S INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLAN UNDER THIS ACT.
     8  SECTION 1102.  EFFECTIVE DATE.
     9     THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 2008, OR IMMEDIATELY,
    10  WHICHEVER IS LATER.














    D8L24BIL/20080H2466B3781        - 30 -