Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, March 1, 2024
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:
KRS
158.148 directs the Kentucky Board of
Education to establish criteria for the development of dropout prevention
programs and grant awards based upon available appropriations from the General
Assembly. This administrative regulation prescribes the criteria for operation
and funding of dropout prevention programs and authorizes the Department of
Education to enter into contracts with other agencies for the purpose of
securing additional funds for dropout prevention programs.
Section 1.
(1) A local board of education may operate
dropout prevention programs for students at high risk for dropping out. A
student is considered of high risk for dropping out if he meets one (1) or more
of the following criteria:
(a) A student who
is currently achieving two (2) or more grade levels below his age
group;
(b) A student who has
demonstrated poor academic skills, i.e., who has failed two (2) or more
subjects in two (2) of the past four (4) school years;
(c) A student who is consistently absent or
tardy and who has been absent twenty-five (25) or more unexcused days in the
last two (2) school years and has an overall grade point average below a
C;
(d) A student who has been
suspended (in-school alternative to home suspension or home suspension) two (2)
or more times during the past school year and has an overall grade point
average below a C;
(e) A student
who becomes pregnant;
(f) A student
whose family has a history of dropping out or whose family does not support the
student in the completion of school;
(g) A student who little or no participation
in school cocurricular activities;
(h) A student who is below grade level in
reading or math skills;
(i) A
student who shows indication of being socially isolated;
(j) Upon approval of the Department of
Education, other indicators supported by strong evidence may also be utilized
to identify students of high risk for dropping out.
(2) Funds shall be made available to eligible
Kentucky school districts through contractual agreements whereby school
districts agree to provide special services designed to prevent students of
high risk from dropping out. State appropriated funds shall be utilized first
in providing grant awards for dropout prevention programs. These funds may be
supplemented by other special funds which may be available to the Department of
Education through contracts or grants intended for this purpose.
(a) Special contract or grant funds may be
used to fund the continuation of successful dropout prevention services in
school districts demonstrating a reduction in their dropout rates or
numbers.
(b) The Department of
Education shall notify school districts of their eligibility to receive funds
for a minimum of two (2) years to implement dropout prevention
programs.
(c) A school district may
apply for funds by submitting an application which specifies special services
to be provided to students who are at high risk of dropping out. Applications
shall be approved by the Department of Education prior to the encumbrance or
expenditure of these funds for a dropout prevention program.
(d) A district receiving dropout prevention
funds as provided for in this administrative regulation shall implement a
comprehensive research-based model across all grade levels.
(3) A school district applying for
funds shall describe the special service(s) to be provided to eligible
students, including the services listed below:
(a) Alternative curriculum which shall
provide academic alternatives for students. Alternative educational programs,
classes or schools shall provide the students with a positive learning
environment to develop and build student academic-behavioral
successes.
(b) Counseling, advising
and mentoring services shall provide techniques to fulfill individual needs for
building self-esteem and personal status through school activities.
(c) Parent involvement services shall provide
teachers and counselors with appropriate information to assess student needs.
This service may be implemented through home visits, group and individual
conferences, and opportunities for family and community involvement.
(d) Student-centered services shall provide a
focus on the individual student. Efforts shall be focused on individual needs
and differences. These similarities and differences shall be respected.
Individualized goals and objectives shall be developed and valued for cognitive
and effective growth and development.
(e) Tutorial services shall provide the
additional time, attention, encouragement and support needed by students at
risk. Tutoring may be provided by students (peer tutoring) or specialized staff
to help students gain social maturity, academic and social skills.
(f) Work-related services may provide
opportunities for paid employment to students. Services may utilize several
components which include on-the-job experiences, classes, career awareness and
exploration activities or vocational courses which are designed to transition
students into the world of work.
Section 2. A school district receiving
dropout prevention funds shall submit an annual evaluation report. The annual
evaluation report shall provide data for each student receiving dropout
prevention services.
Section 3. The
chief state school officer shall be authorized to enter into contractual
agreements with the Department of Employment Services and other agencies and
organizations for the purpose of securing Job Training Partnership Act funds
and other special grant and contract funds to be utilized to supplement state
appropriations, under the criteria and standards of this administrative
regulation, in reducing the numbers of dropouts in the common schools of
Kentucky.
