By July 2007, the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations outlining specific objective criteria for districts to use in the identification of students at risk for being poorly prepared for the next level of study or for dropping out of school. The criteria must include diagnostic assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses in the core academic areas. The process for identifying these students must be closely monitored by the State Department of Education in collaboration with school districts to ensure that students are being properly identified and provided timely, appropriate guidance and assistance and to ensure that no group is disproportionately represented. The regulations also must include evidence-based model programs for at-risk students designed to ensure that these students have an opportunity to graduate with a state high school diploma. By the 2007-08 school year, each high school of the State shall implement one or more of these programs to ensure that these students receive the opportunity to complete the necessary requirements to graduate with a state high school diploma and build skills to prepare them to enter the job market successfully. The regulation also must include an evaluation of model programs in place in each high school to ensure the programs are providing students an opportunity to graduate with a state high school diploma.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 88, Section 1, eff May 27, 2005.