DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HB No. 968
Abstract: Provides with respect to dropout recovery programs.
Proposed law provides that each school district and charter school that provides instruction to
high school students may offer a dropout recovery program for eligible students. Provides that
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall prescribe standards and
achievement testing requirements for dropout recovery programs that attempt to ensure that the
programs are compatible with public school education goals and requirements.
Provides that the dropout recovery programs shall make available appropriate and sufficient
supports for students, including tutoring, career counseling and college counseling, comply with
federal and state laws governing students with disabilities, and meet state requirements for high
school graduation.
Provides that each eligible student enrolled in a dropout recovery program shall have an
individual graduation plan developed by the student's assigned academic coach. Specifies certain
elements to be included in the plan.
Provides that the monthly participation in a dropout recovery program shall be reported for
funding purposes to the state Dept. of Education on or before the 10
th
day of the following
month. Requires that monthly participation calculations shall include specified components.
Authorizes school districts and charter schools to contract with an educational management
organization to provide a dropout recovery program and if so, shall ensure that the educational
management organization is accredited by a regional accrediting body and that teachers provided
by the educational management organization hold a current teaching license and that teachers of
core subjects are highly qualified in those subjects.
Provides that dropout recovery programs shall be classified as alternative programs. Further
provides that entities that are contracted to provide dropout recovery programs may conduct
outreach to encourage students who are not enrolled in a school district or charter school in this
state to return to school. Prohibits entities that are contracted to provide dropout recovery
programs from conducting advertising or marketing campaigns directed at students who are
enrolled in a school district or charter school, or undertake any other activity that encourages
students who are enrolled in a school district or charter school to stop attending school in order to
qualify for a dropout recovery program. Defines "eligible student" and "satisfactory monthly progress" for purposes of proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 17:221.4(A); Adds R.S. 17:221.6)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill.
1. Deletes requirement that dropout recovery programs provide curriculum aligned to
standards adopted by BESE and the authorization for the curriculum to be delivered
online.
2. Deletes requirement that dropout recovery programs provide standardized tests
required by state and federal law.
3. Requires students in dropout recovery programs to have an individual graduation plan
instead of a written learning plan and requires that such plan be developed by the
student's assigned academic coach instead of assigned mentor.
4. Requires that monthly participation in a dropout recovery program be reported for
funding purposes to the state Dept. of Education on or before the 10
th
day of the
following month instead of being recorded on or before the 10
th
day of each month
and reported to the department.
5. Deletes provisions with regard to recording and calculating student attendance for
students participating in dropout recovery programs.
6. Deletes requirement that school districts and charter schools are responsible for
tuition and fees for students participating in dropout recovery programs.
7. Provides that dropout recovery programs are classified as alternative programs instead
of alternative schools.
8. Provides for determinations made by school administrators instead of school districts
with regard to student eligibility for participation in a dropout recovery program.