Woodruff HB No. 320
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
STUDENTS: Provides relative to dropout prevention and recovery
DIGEST
Abstract: Exempts students in dropout recovery programs from certain requirements
applicable to minors who withdraw from school before high school graduation and
removes certain reporting requirements pertaining to dropout recovery programs.
Present law requires minors who withdraw from school prior to high school graduation,
within 120 days of leaving, to either reenroll in school and make progress toward completing
graduation requirements, enroll in a high school equivalency diploma program and make
progress toward completing program requirements, or enlist in the La. National Guard or the
U.S. Armed Forces, with a commitment for at least two years of service, and earn a high
school equivalency diploma during the service period. Proposed law exempts minors
participating in a dropout recovery program from this requirement.
Present law allows each school district and charter school that provides instruction to high
school students to offer a dropout recovery program. Proposed law adds that such districts
and schools should maximize the use of federal Title I funds and at-risk funds provided
through the minimum foundation program (MFP) formula to establish such programs.
Present law requires that a student enrolled in such a program be included in the student
enrollment count for the school or school district offering the program. Proposed law adds
that such students shall be recorded on a monthly basis as program participants.
Present law requires monthly reporting by schools and school systems to the state Dept. of
Education and specifies information to be included in the reports. Proposed law requires that
such information be recorded monthly rather than reported to DOE monthly.
Proposed law retains present law with respect to other provisions of the dropout recovery
program and clarifies certain terms.
(Amends R.S. 17:221.4(A) and (C)(intro. para.) and 221.6(A), (E)(intro. para.), and (I)(intro.
para.); Adds R.S. 17:221.6(I)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Retain present law provision authorizing all schools and school districts
providing instruction to high school students to offer dropout recovery programs
and remove proposed law provision that would have required the offering of such
programs in schools with low graduation rates.
2. Instead of requiring the funding of students in such programs as provided in the
minimum foundation program (MFP) formula, provide that school districts and
charter schools should maximize the use of Title 1 and at-risk funds through the
MFP to establish such programs.
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Prepared by Alan Miller. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the engrossed
bill
1. Makes technical changes.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Alan Miller.