JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION

ON

DROPOUT PREVENTION

AND

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

INTERIM REPORT TO THE

2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES OF THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE

FOR DISTRIBUTION THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY.

ROOMS 2126, 2226

STATE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27611

TELEPHONE: ( 919) 733- 7778

OR

ROOM 500

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27603- 5925

TELEPHONE: ( 919) 733- 9390

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter of Transmittal ………………………………………………………………..……. 1

Commission Membership………………....…………………………......................…….. 2

Authorizing Legislation…………………………………………………………….…….. 4

Commission Proceedings………………………………………………………………… 6

Summary of Study Commission Proceedings…..………………………………….…….. 7

Findings and Recommendations…………………………………………………………. 9

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL I – A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO

APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL LEARN AND EARN HIGH

SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND HIGH

SCHOOL GRADUATION ...…………………………………………………………… 12

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL II – A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO

APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF NORTH

CAROLINA, INC., PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND TO PLACE NO

FEWER THAN 100 GRADUATION COACHES IN EITHER MIDDLE OR

HIGH SCHOOLS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE

COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATION…............................................................................................................. 13

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL III – A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO

DIRECT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH

CAROLINA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC

INSTRUCTION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

AND UNIVERSITIES, TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE ENTITY TO STUDY

THE IMPACTS OF RAISING THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AGE FOR

PUBLIC SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF A HIGH

SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM SIXTEEN TO SEVENTEEN OR EIGHTEEN, AS

RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON

DROPOUT PREVENTION AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.……………….... 15

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IV – A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO

ENCOURAGE LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES TO

ENCOURAGE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ADOPT PERSONNEL POLICIES TO

PERMIT PARENTS TO ATTEND STUDENT CONFERENCES, IMPLEMENT

PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST STUDENTS IN MAKING A SUCCESSFUL

TRANSITION BETWEEN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

YEARS, INCREASE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT

ACHIEVEMENT, REDUCE SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION RATES AND

ENCOURAGE ACADEMIC PROGRESS DURING SUSPENSIONS, AND

PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO ENCOURAGE PREGNANT

AND PARENTING STUDENTS TO GRADUATE, AS RECOMMENDED BY

THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION

AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION………………..………………………………. 17

Appendix A - Update on the Status of the Commission's Recommendations to

the 2008 Regular Session………………………………………………………………... 20

1

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

January 21, 2009

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Attached for your consideration is the interim report to the 2009 General Assembly.

This report was prepared by the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention

and High School Graduation pursuant to Session Law 2007- 323, Sec. 7.32( f) of the

2007 General Assembly, as amended by S. L. 2008- 181, Part XXXV.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________ _________________________________

Representative Earline Parmon, Chair Senator Vernon Malone, Chair

2

North Carolina General Assembly

Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and

High School Graduation

S. L. 2007- 323, sec. 7.32.( f)

Pro Tem's Appointments Speaker's Appointments

Sen. Vernon Malone Co- Chair Rep. Earline W. Parmon Co- Chair

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 314 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 632

Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 733- 5880 ( 919) 733- 5829

Sen. Julia Catherine Boseman Member Rep. Dan Blue Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 309 16 W. Jones Street, Room 2207

Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925 Raleigh, NC 27601- 1096

( 919) 715- 2525 ( 919) 733- 5752

Sen. Charlie Smith Dannelly Member Rep. Angela R. Bryant Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

16 W. Jones Street, Room 2010 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 542

Raleigh, NC 27601- 2808 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 733- 5955 ( 919) 733- 5878

Sen. Katie G. Dorsett Member Rep. William A. Current, Sr. Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

16 W. Jones Street, Room 2106 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 418- A

Raleigh, NC 27601- 2808 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 715- 3042 ( 919) 733- 5809

Sen. Samuel Clark Jenkins Member Rep. Susan C. Fisher Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 308 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 420

Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 715- 3040 ( 919) 715- 2013

Sen. Joe Sam Queen Member Rep. Bryan R. Holloway Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

16 W. Jones Street, Room 1117 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 502

Raleigh, NC 27601- 2808 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 733- 3460 ( 919) 733- 5609

3

Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and

High School Graduation

Sen. Albin B. Swindell IV Member Rep. Pat B. Hurley Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 629 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 607

Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925 Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925

( 919) 733- 3030 ( 919) 733- 5865

Sen. JerryW. Tillman Member Rep. Cullie M. Tarleton Member

North Carolina Senate North Carolina House of Representatives

300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 628 16 W. Jones Street, Room 2221

Raleigh, NC 27603- 5925 Raleigh, NC 27601- 1096

( 919) 733- 5870 ( 919) 733- 7727

Staff to Commission

Dee Atkinson, Research Division

Drupti Chauhan, Research Division

Shirley Iorio, Research Division

Sara Kamprath, Research Division

Kara McCraw, Research Division

( 919) 733- 2578

Pat Christmas, Commission Assistant

Bonnie McNeil, Commission Assistant

4

Authorizing Legislation

S. L. 2007- 323, sec. 7.32.( f) as amended by S. L. 2008- 181, Part XXXV

SECTION 7.32.( f) Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School

Graduation. –

( 1) There is created the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High

School Graduation ( Commission) to be composed of 16 members, eight appointed

by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and eight appointed by the Speaker of

the House of Representatives. The President Pro Tempore and the Speaker shall

each designate a cochair from their appointees. Vacancies shall be filled in the same

manner as the original appointments were made.

( 2) The cochairs shall jointly call the first meeting of the Commission. A quorum of the

Commission is a majority of its members.

( 3) The Commission shall:

a. Evaluate initiatives and programs designed to reduce the dropout rate and

increase the number of students who graduate from high school prepared to

further their postsecondary education or enter the workforce.

b. Review the research on factors related to students' success in school.

c. Evaluate the grants awarded under subsection ( d) of this section and

recommend whether any of the programs and initiatives that received one of

these grants has potential for success and should be expanded or replicated.

d. Study the emergence of major middle school and high school reform efforts,

including Learn and Earn Programs, the New Schools Initiative, and 21st

Century Schools, and the impact they may have on the dropout rate.

e. Examine strategies, programs, and support services that should be provided if

the compulsory school attendance age is raised to enable students to graduate

from high school and time lines for implementing those strategies, programs,

and support services.

f. Following a review of the courses required for graduation and the current

system of awarding credit for those courses, determine whether changes

should be made that better recognize the different learning rates and other

needs of students.

g. Determine which interventions and other strategies, such as accelerated

learning, tutoring, mentoring, or small class sizes, when employed as a

substitute to grade retention or as a subsequent measure to grade retention, are

the most effective at enabling these students to remain in school and graduate.

h. Study any other issue that the Commission considers relevant and appropriate.

( 4) The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer,

shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Joint

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation. The

expenses of employment of the clerical staff shall be borne by the Joint Legislative

Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation.

( 5) The Commission may meet at various locations around the State in order to

promote greater public participation in its deliberations. The Legislative Services

Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall grant to the Joint

5

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation

adequate meeting space in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office

Building.

( 6) Members of the Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel

allowances as follows:

a. Members who are also members of the General Assembly, at the rate

established in G. S. 120- 3.1;

b. Members who are officials or employees of the State or local government

agencies, at the rate established in G. S. 138- 6; and

c. All other members, at the rate established in G. S. 138- 5.

( 7) The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all

powers provided for under G. S. 120- 19 and Article 5A of Chapter 120 of the

General Statutes. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or

consultant services as provided by G. S. 20- 32.02.

( 8) The Commission shall submit an interim written report of its findings and

recommendations on or before the convening of the 2009 Session of the General

Assembly. The Commission may submit an interim report, including any

recommendations and proposed legislation, to the Joint Legislative Education

Oversight Committee and the General Assembly by May 1, 2010, and shall submit

a final written report of its findings and recommendations on or before the

convening of the 2011 Session of the General Assembly. All reports shall be filed

with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, and the Legislative Librarian. Upon filing its final report, the

Commission shall terminate.

S. L. 2008- 107, sec. 7.14.( f)

SECTION 7.14.( f) Dropout Prevention Network. – In addition to its other duties, the Joint

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation, established

under Section 7.32 of S. L. 2007- 323, shall study the development of an effective network

for the purpose of sharing best practices among the grant recipients, the public schools, and

other interested organizations. The Commission shall consider interactive Web sites,

electronic information sharing, professional development opportunities, conferences, and

other means that it believes would be effective. The Commission may consult with the

Department of Public Instruction and the Committee on Dropout Prevention. The

Commission shall report its findings and any recommendations to the 2009 General

Assembly.

6

COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation met 5

times between September 30, 2008 and January 21, 2009.

September 30, 2008

Review of the Status of Recommendations Proposed to the 2008 Regular Session

Sara Kamprath, Committee Staff

Status Report on the Activities of the Committee on Dropout Prevention

Bill Farmer, Committee Co- chair

Dr. David Strahan, Committee Co- chair

October 28, 2008

Update on Raising Graduation Rates and Readiness for Career and College

J. B. Buxton, Deputy State Superintendent, Department of Public Instruction

Scott Ralls, President, North Carolina Community College System

Winston- Salem Chamber of Commerce Dropout Prevention Activities

Rodessa Mitchell, Executive Director of Education and Workforce Development, Winston- Salem

Chamber of Commerce

Suspension and Expulsion Rates

Jamal Carr, Youth and Family Services Administrator, Department of Juvenile Justice &

Delinquency Prevention

November 13, 2008

Commission Discussion on Findings, Recommendations and Proposed Legislation in draft

Interim Report to the 2009 General Assembly

December 2, 2008

Commission Discussion and Vote on Interim Report to the 2009 General Assembly

January 21, 2009

Commission Vote to Reconsider the Adoption of the Interim Report to the 2009 General

Assembly/ Discussion and Vote to Adopt Amended Interim Report to the 2009 General

Assembly

7

SUMMARY OF STUDY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

( In addition to these summaries, the Committee Assistant maintains a notebook containing

complete committee minutes for each meeting and all information presented to the committee.)

September 30, 2008

Sara Kamprath, Commission Analyst, presented a status report of the Joint Legislative

Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation's recommendations to the 2008

Regular Session. ( See Appendix A on page 19).

Bill Farmer and Dr. David Strahan, co- chairs of the Committee on Dropout Prevention, reviewed

the legislation that reestablished the Committee on Dropout Prevention until December 31, 2010.

The Committee will determine which local school administrative units, schools, agencies and

nonprofits shall receive grants from the $ 15 million appropriated during the 2008 Regular

Session. The sum of $ 5.5 million shall be used to award grants to applicants that applied for a

grant in 2007 but did not receive funding in 2007. The remainder of the funds shall be used to

award new grants and additional grants to 2007 grant recipients. Mr. Farmer also reviewed the

criteria that all grants must meet. Dr. Strahan reviewed the proposed timeline and activities for

the required evaluation of the impact of the dropout prevention grants awarded in 2007.

October 28, 2008

J. B. Buxton, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Dr. Scott Ralls, President of

the North Carolina Community College System, reported on the progress in developing a joint

initiative to serve students who are aged 16- 18 and " off- track/ under credit" to graduate from high

school. Work is just beginning on determining the target population to be served, the program

options and design, staffing needs, budget implications, and the timeline and various options for

implementation.

Rodessa Mitchell, Executive Director of Education and Workforce Development for the

Winston- Salem Chamber of Commerce, reported on two of the dropout prevention programs

sponsored by the Winston- Salem Chamber of Commerce. For 2008- 2009, the Chamber has

recruited 500 volunteers from 60 companies to help kindergarten students in 17 elementary

schools achieve grade- level proficiency. In the Senior Academy Program, the Chamber has also

recruited 26 volunteers from 16 businesses to provide one- on- one mentoring to 25 seniors at

North Forsyth High School to help the students obtain a high school diploma.

Jamal Carr, Youth and Family Services Administrator for the Department of Juvenile Justice &

Delinquency Prevention, reported to the Commission that suspended students are 3 times as

likely to drop out as are other students. Concern has grown in the State over the rate that

students are being suspended. In DPI's Annual Study of Suspensions and Expulsions: 2006-

2007, 308,010 short- term out of school suspensions were given to 157,406 different students;

4,682 long- term suspensions; and 81 expulsions during the 2006- 2007 school year.

8

Research is also beginning to show that suspension is not an effective intervention strategy for

changing the inappropriate student behavior that can lead to suspension. The Center for the

Prevention of School Violence has developed a Tool- Kit to provide information necessary to

plan, establish, and maintain effective programs to serve as alternatives to suspension.

November 13, 2008

Sara Kamprath, Commission Analyst, reviewed the proposed findings and recommendations of

the draft Interim Report to the 2009 General Assembly. Based on the Commission discussion,

the co- chairs directed staff to make changes to the findings and recommendations for

presentation to the Commission at the next meeting.

December 2, 2008

Sara Kamprath, Commission Analyst, reviewed the draft copy of the interim report. The

Commission discussed the proposed findings and recommendations. The Commission moved to

adopt, as amended, the Interim Report to the 2009 General Assembly.

January 21, 2009

The Commission voted to reconsider the vote by which the Interim Report to the 2009 General

Assembly was adopted on December 2, 2008. The Commission discussed a new finding and

recommendation related to setting a short term goal for improving the 4- year cohort graduation

rate and a long- term goal for achieving a ninety percent statewide 4- year cohort graduation rate

by 2015. The Commission adopted the finding and recommendation for inclusion in the report.

The Commission moved to adopt, as amended, the Interim Report to the 2009 General

Assembly.

9

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Findings:

Based upon the various presentations and Commission discussion, the Joint Legislative

Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation makes the following findings:

1. Innovative and non- traditional high school designs strengthen the retention of students in

schools and reduce failure rates. North Carolina high schools that implemented

reform/ redesign models showed improved performance on 2007- 2008 End- of- Course

tests.

2. At- risk students are less likely to drop out if they form an on- going relationship with a

designated adult in the schools who consistently shows concern and provides personal

attention in helping at- risk students address their academic or personal problems and

assists them in staying on track for graduation.

3. Current law requires children to attend school between the ages of seven and 16. In

2006- 2007, students aged 17 were the most frequent dropouts. The next highest age

group of dropouts was students aged 18, followed by students aged 16.

4. A student's successful transition to and positive academic progress in 9th Grade are

pivotal factors in the likelihood that the student will be promoted to 10th Grade and will

graduate in a timely manner.

5. In North Carolina in 2006- 2007, students dropped out more frequently during 9th Grade

than any other grade.

6. Student suspension rates in North Carolina have been on the rise in recent years and

students who are suspended from school are three times more likely to drop out than

other students.

7. The presence of the following risk factors increase a student's likelihood of failing to

complete their high school education: multiple tardies, poor attendance, lack of parent

involvement and support, multiple suspensions, low grades and lack of academic success,

and being a pregnant or parenting teen.

8. High- quality preschool programs are important to help at- risk students enter school

healthy and ready to achieve high academic performance. Reading at grade level by

Grade 3 is a key predictor of high school completion and early intervention programs that

promote literacy in the early elementary years are important.

9. The Commission heard from the Committee on Dropout Prevention that the availability

of Dropout Prevention Grants has stimulated significant interest across the State.

Hundreds of groups, including local school systems, schools, nonprofits, faith- based

organizations, and colleges, have proposed a variety of innovative programs and

initiatives. These proposals have been designed to address unique local needs,

supplement local resources, and build upon collaborative efforts in order to keep students

in school and on track for high school graduation. The Commission is hopeful that the

planned evaluation of the funded proposals will identify successful practices that can be

sustained locally and can be replicated in other locations.

10

10. The Commission finds that it is premature to develop a network for sharing best practices

among grant recipients, the public schools and other interested organizations. The

Commission recommends such a network be developed after there is data available from

the grant recipients that documents practices that have proven to be successful in

reducing the dropout rate and increasing the graduation rate. The Commission also

encourages the Department of Public Instruction, as a part of its technical support to grant

recipients, to assist in the development of this network.

11. Graduation rates should be a key factor used in accountability systems that measure and

reward a school's efforts to improve student academic performance and close

achievement gaps.

12. The Commission finds that the percentage of North Carolina students who completed

their high school education in four years or less in 2008 was slightly less than 70%. The

Commission believes that aggressive goals which demonstrate continuous and substantial

improvement from the prior year should be set to improve the current 4- year cohort

graduation rate

Therefore, the Commission makes the following recommendations to the 2009 General

Assembly:

1. The General Assembly shall appropriate funds for the 11 Learn and Earn early college

high schools that received a planning grant in the 2008- 2009 fiscal year and are ready to

begin operations in the 2009- 2010 school year.

( See LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL I)

2. The General Assembly shall appropriate funds for Communities in Schools of North

Carolina, Inc. to place no fewer than 100 graduation coaches in either middle or high

schools and give priority to schools that have a 4- year cohort graduation rate of less than

65%.

( See LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL II)

3. The General Assembly shall direct the Board of Governors of The University of North

Carolina, in conjunction with the Department of Public Instruction and the North

Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, to direct the appropriate entity to study

raising the compulsory attendance age for public school attendance prior to completion of

a high school diploma from sixteen to seventeen or eighteen. At a minimum, the study

shall examine other states that have raised the compulsory attendance age to determine all

impacts, including the effect on the dropout rate and the fiscal impact.

( See LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL III)

4. The General Assembly shall encourage local boards of education to adopt policies to

encourage local businesses to adopt personnel policies to permit parents to attend student

conferences, implement programs that assist students in making a successful transition

between the middle school and high school years, increase parental involvement in

student achievement, reduce suspension and expulsion rates and encourage academic

progress during suspensions, and provide assistance and support to encourage pregnant

and parenting students to graduate.

( See LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IV)

11

5. The General Assembly shall appropriate sufficient funds for Dropout Prevention Grants in

the 2009 Session to continue some of the more successful initiatives and also to provide

the opportunity for a new round of proposals to be funded.

6. The Commission strongly recommends the following:

1. Prior to the 2009- 2010 school year, the State Board of Education develop a growth

model establishing annual goals for continuous and substantial improvement in the 4-

year cohort graduation rate by local school administrative units.

2. The State Board establish as a short term goal that local school administrative units

meet the annual growth model goals for improvement in the 4- year cohort graduation

rate beginning with the graduating class of 2010 and continuing annually thereafter.

3. The State Board establish as a long- term goal a statewide 4- year cohort graduation

rate of ninety percent by 2015.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL I

12

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

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11/ 12/ 2008 11: 40: 04 AM

Short Title: Funding for Learn and Earn. ( Public)

Sponsors: .

Referred to:

1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

2 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL LEARN AND EARN

3 HIGH SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE

4 JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND

5 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

6 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

7 SECTION 1. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the

8 Department of Public Instruction the sum of three million two hundred and fifty

9 thousand dollars ($ 3,250,000) for the 2009- 2010 fiscal year and the sum of three million

10 two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($ 3,250,000) for the 2010- 2011 fiscal year in

11 recurring funds. These funds shall be used to provide funding for the 11 additional

12 Learn and Earn high schools that will be operational in 2009- 2010.

13 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.

14

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL II

13

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

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BILL DRAFT 2009- RJz- 1 [ v. 1] ( 11/ 07)

( THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION)

11/ 7/ 2008 11: 09: 26 AM

Short Title: Communities in Schools Funds. ( Public)

Sponsors: Unknown.

Referred to:

1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

2 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF

3 NORTH CAROLINA, INC., PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND TO PLACE NO

4 FEWER THAN ONE HUNDRED GRADUATION COACHES IN EITHER

5 MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOLS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT

6 LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND HIGH

7 SCHOOL GRADUATION.

8 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

9 SECTION 1. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the

10 Department of Public Instruction the sum of six million twenty- four thousand

11 ninety- one dollars ($ 6,024,091) for the 2009- 2010 fiscal year and the sum of six million

12 twenty- four thousand ninety- one dollars ($ 6,024,091) for the 2010- 2011 fiscal year in

13 recurring funds to support and expand the programs and services of Communities in

14 Schools of North Carolina, Inc., a public and private partnership that addresses the

15 multiple needs of students at the greatest risk of dropping out of schools. Communities

16 in Schools of North Carolina, Inc., shall use the funds to leverage federal and private

17 grants to support local Communities in Schools programs throughout the State and to

18 place no fewer than 100 graduation coaches in either middle or high schools. When

19 placing graduation coaches, Communities in Schools of North Carolina, Inc., shall give

20 priority to schools that have a four- year cohort graduation rate of less than sixty- five

21 percent ( 65%).

22 The graduation coaches shall:

23 ( 1) Identify and coordinate appropriate academic assistance and support

24 for students at risk of dropping out of school;

25 ( 2) Refer at- risk students to other school personnel such as counselors,

26 social workers, and nurses who can address problems that might

27 prevent a student from graduating;

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL II

14

1 ( 3) Recruit mentors and tutors from the local community to work with

2 at- risk students to help keep them on track to graduate;

3 ( 4) Initiate contact with parents and guardians of at- risk students, provide

4 regular updates of the student's academic progress, and encourage

5 parental involvement in student academic endeavors;

6 ( 5) Provide information to at- risk students and their parents or guardians

7 about graduation requirements, support services to help students not

8 performing at grade level, advanced and honors courses, opportunities

9 for higher education, and worker training after graduation; and

10 ( 6) Refer students requiring services relating to substance abuse, domestic

11 violence, family planning, or mental health to appropriate providers

12 where medically accurate information will be provided and appropriate

13 services are available.

14 SECTION 2. Communities in Schools of North Carolina, Inc., shall report

15 on the activities of the graduation coaches to the Joint Legislative Commission on

16 Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation and the Joint Legislative Education

17 Oversight Committee by October 15, 2010, and annually thereafter.

18 SECTION 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.

19

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL III

15

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

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( THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION)

12/ 8/ 2008 1: 16: 35 PM

Short Title: Study Raising Compulsory Attendance Age. ( Public)

Sponsors: Unknown.

Referred to:

1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

2 AN ACT TO DIRECT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF

3 NORTH CAROLINA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF

4 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT

5 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE ENTITY

6 TO STUDY THE IMPACTS OF RAISING THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

7 AGE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF A

8 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM SIXTEEN TO SEVENTEEN OR EIGHTEEN,

9 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON

10 DROPOUT PREVENTION AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

11 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

12 SECTION 1. The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina,

13 in coordination with the Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina

14 Independent Colleges and Universities, shall direct the appropriate entity to study the

15 impacts of raising the compulsory public school attendance age prior to completion of a

16 high school diploma from 16 to 17 or 18. In its study, the Board of Governors shall

17 consider all of the following:

18 ( 1) What impacts, including fiscal impacts, has raising the compulsory

19 school attendance age had in states which have raised the compulsory

20 school attendance age in the last 15 years.

21 ( 2) What conclusions can be drawn as to the impact the compulsory

22 school attendance age has made in the dropout and high school

23 completion rates for states who require compulsory school attendance

24 to ages 16, 17, and 18, respectively.

25 ( 3) What best practices for working with at- risk populations of students

26 who remain in school have been employed in states that have raised

27 the compulsory attendance age in the last 15 years.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL III

16

( 4) What would be 1 the fiscal impact in raising the compulsory school

2 attendance age from 16 to 17 and 16 to 18, respectively, for each local

3 administrative school unit in North Carolina.

4 SECTION 2. No later than April 15, 2009, the Board of Governors of The

5 University of North Carolina shall submit a report of its study to the Joint Legislative

6 Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation and the Joint

7 Legislative Education Oversight Committee, including its findings and

8 recommendations.

9 SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.

10

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IV

17

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

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BILL DRAFT 2009- RJz- 3 [ v. 7] ( 11/ 25)

( THIS IS A DRAFT AND IS NOT READY FOR INTRODUCTION)

12/ 8/ 2008 11: 32: 30 AM

Short Title: Encourage Policies to Facilitate Graduation. ( Public)

Sponsors: Unknown.

Referred to:

1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

2 AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT

3 POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ADOPT PERSONNEL

4 POLICIES TO PERMIT PARENTS TO ATTEND STUDENT CONFERENCES,

5 IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST STUDENTS IN MAKING A

6 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION BETWEEN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH

7 SCHOOL YEARS, INCREASE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT

8 ACHIEVEMENT, REDUCE SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION RATES AND

9 ENCOURAGE ACADEMIC PROGRESS DURING SUSPENSIONS, AND

10 PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO ENCOURAGE PREGNANT AND

11 PARENTING STUDENTS TO GRADUATE, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE

12 JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND

13 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

14 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

15 SECTION 1. G. S. 115C- 47( 34) is amended to read:

16 "( 34) To Encourage the Business Community to Facilitate Student

17 Achievement. – Local boards of education, in consultation with local

18 business leaders, shall develop voluntary guidelines relating to

19 after- school employment. The guidelines may include an agreement to

20 limit the number of hours a student may work or to tie the number of

21 hours a student may work to his academic performance, school

22 attendance, and economic need. The General Assembly finds that local

23 boards of education do not currently have information regarding how

24 many of their students are employed after school and how many hours

25 they work; the General Assembly urges local boards of education to

26 compile this critical information so that the State can determine to

27 what extent these students' work affects their school performance.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IV

18

1 Local boards of education shall work with local business leaders,

2 including local chambers of commerce, to encourage employers to

3 include and adopt as part of their stated personnel policies time for

4 employees who are parents or guardians to attend conferences with

5 their children's teachers.

6 The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide guidance

7 and technical assistance to the local boards of education on carrying out the provisions

8 of this subdivision."

9 SECTION 2. G. S. 115C- 47 is amended by adding the following new

10 subdivisions to read:

11 "( 53) To Encourage Programs for Successful Transition Between the Middle

12 School and High School Years. – Local boards of education are

13 encouraged to adopt policies to implement programs that assist

14 students in making a successful transition between the middle school

15 and high school years. The programs may include Ninth Grade

16 Academies, programs to effectively prepare 8th Grade students for the

17 expectations and rigors of high school, early warning systems to flag

18 students not ready for 9th Grade and develop plans for those students,

19 mentoring programs that pair upperclassmen with incoming students;

20 and graduation plans for students who have fallen behind and are off-21

track for graduation.

22 ( 54) To Increase Parental Involvement in Student Achievement and

23 Graduation Preparation. – Local boards of education are encouraged to

24 adopt policies to promote and support parental involvement in student

25 learning and achievement at school and at home and to encourage

26 successful progress towards graduation. These policies may include

27 strategies to increase school communications with parents regarding

28 expectations for students, graduation requirements, and available

29 course offerings, to provide increased opportunities for parental

30 involvement in schools, and to create an environment in the schools

31 conducive for parental involvement.

32 ( 55) To Reduce Suspension and Expulsion Rates and Provide for Academic

33 Progress During Suspensions. – Local boards of education are

34 encouraged to adopt polices and best practices to reduce short and

35 long- term suspension and expulsion rates and to provide alternative

36 learning programs for continued academic progress for students who

37 are short and long- term suspended."

38 SECTION 3. G. S. 115C- 375.5( b) is amended to read:

39 "( b) Local boards of education shall adopt a policy to ensure that pregnant and

40 parenting students are not discriminated against or excluded from school or any

41 program, class, or extracurricular activity because they are pregnant or parenting

42 students, and to provide assistance and support to encourage pregnant and parenting

43 students to remain enrolled in school and graduate. The policy shall include, at a

44 minimum, all of the following:

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IV

19

( 1) Local 1 school administrative units shall use, as needed, supplemental

2 funds from the At- Risk Student Services allotment to support

3 programs for pregnant and parenting students.

4 ( 2) Notwithstanding Part 1 of Article 26 of this Chapter, pregnant and

5 parenting students shall be given excused absences from school for

6 pregnancy and related conditions for the length of time the student's

7 physician finds medically necessary. This includes absences due to the

8 illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom

9 the student is the custodial parent.

10 ( 3) Homework and make- up work shall be made available to pregnant and

11 parenting students to ensure that they have the opportunity to keep

12 current with assignments and avoid losing course credit because of

13 their absence from school and, to the extent necessary, a homebound

14 teacher shall be assigned."

15 SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.

16

20

APPENDIX A

Update on the Status of the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School

Graduation Recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 1: Plan for Providing Education and

Workforce Skills Development

The Commission strongly encourages the State Board of

Community Colleges and the State Board of Education to develop

a rigorous academic and workplace skills development program

for high school dropouts between the ages of sixteen and eighteen

who are enrolled at a community college. The State Board of

Community Colleges, in collaboration with the State Board of

Education, shall report on the components of the program and a

timeline for implementation of the program to the Joint

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School

Graduation and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight

Committee before the convening of the 2009 Session of the

General Assembly.

The Department of Public Instruction ( DPI) and the Community

College System Office ( CCSO) report that they are in discussions

with the national organization, Jobs For the Future, to explore an

alternative learning program for students who are ages 16 - 17 and

need significant credit and a different pathway to high school

graduation. These students are generally over- age and under-credited.

The model will involve a heavy emphasis on career

readiness and involve apprenticeship programs. DPI and NCCCS

would like to have a proposal ready for their respective boards and

the 2009 General Assembly.

Prepared by:

Sara Kamprath

Research Division, NCGA

9/ 30/ 08

21

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 2: Early Intervention Programs

The Commission strongly recommends that the General Assembly

continue to fund More at Four and Smart Start early intervention

programs for at- risk students, and to expand these programs.

The General Assembly appropriated $ 30,000,000 in recurring funds

for FY 08- 09 for expansion of the More at Four program and

$ 500,000 in recurring funds for FY 08- 09 for local Smart Start

initiatives.

Recommendation 3: High School Redesign

a. The Commission encourages local boards of education to consider

innovative and non- traditional high school designs to meet the needs

of all students, especially ninth graders.

b. The Commission strongly urges that serious consideration be

given to Ninth Grade Academies, smaller school settings such as

schools within a school, themed academies, and flexible school

schedules such as evening academies.

a. DPI reports that achievement results from the State's turnaround

initiative indicated that most of the high schools that have

implemented reform/ redesign models have shown improved

performance in EOC tests in 2007- 08. Many of these schools

showed up to ten percentage point gains in overall performance

composites.

In addition, the State is now home to over 40 redesigned high

schools through work with the NC New Schools Project and 60

Learn and Earn early college high schools. In addition, 13 more

Learn and Earn sites are in planning and will open in the fall of

2009, if given funding by the 2009 General Assembly.

b. In August, DPI research interns under the leadership of Associate

Superintendent Philip Price conducted a study of ninth grade

academies. North Carolina has 134 ninth grade academies in 63

counties. Research findings indicated that the academies were

successful in reducing the non- promotion rates and dropout rates for

their students. The academies' support strategies were helpful for

both teachers and students.

22

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 4: Parental Involvement and Communication

Between Schools and Parents

a. The Commission encourages principals, teachers, and

organizations that promote parent, family and community

involvement in the education of all children to develop methods to

reach out to parents and guardians to involve them in student

learning at home and at school.

b. The Commission also strongly encourages local Chamber of

Commerce education committees to develop and promote programs

to encourage local employers to invest in local community school

systems by providing flexibility to employees for involvement in

school activities and volunteer efforts without penalty, and by

engaging in cooperative efforts with schools to promote parental

involvement in education.

a. DPI reports there has been considerable work in this area, from

the Division of Communications under the Deputy Superintendent

( development of a parent involvement booklet is currently

underway), from State Board of Education's community outreach

officer, from Title I schools, and from Statewide comprehensive

support. Initiatives in high need districts and schools include a

partnership with the UNC School of Social Work that has provided a

unique tool ( School Success Profile ( SSP) and Elementary School

Success Profile ( ESSP)) for schools and communities to screen for

school success and develop profiles and risk reports. Components

include assessments of the neighborhoods; school; friends; families;

health and well- being, and social behavior at home and school.

State Superintendent June Atkinson's Parent Advisory Group

provides ongoing input and guidance to efforts to engage parents in

North Carolina public schools.

b. The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce reports that the 66th

Annual Meeting, held on March 26, 2008 in Greensboro, featured a

preliminary Special Session on the significance and challenges of the

State’s dropout rate. The purpose of the session was to raise

awareness about the issue at the State Chamber’s largest annual

event, and offer useful information and tools for businesses and

others in attendance to empower them to get involved to help

increase North Carolina’s graduation rate. Nearly 400 leaders in

business, education, government and non- profits attended the event.

23

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 4. continued

c. The Commission also encourages local media to expand reporting

on achievements and accomplishments within local community

school systems and on the positive involvement of parents within

those systems.

d. The Commission recommends that the General Assembly enact

legislation to appropriate funds for Communities in Schools of North

Carolina, Inc. to place no fewer than 100 graduation coaches in

either middle or high schools. When placing the graduation coaches,

Communities in Schools of North Carolina, Inc. shall give priority to

schools that have a 4- year cohort graduation rate of less than 65%.

c. No information is available.

d. In response to this recommendation, HB 2277 was introduced and

referred to the House Appropriations Committee. The bill would

appropriate funds for 100 graduation coaches in selected high

schools.

HB 2089 was also introduced and included a study of graduation

coaches by the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

This bill was also referred to the Appropriations committee.

Neither bill was enacted.

24

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 5: School Climate and School Safety

a. The Commission encourages superintendents, principals, and

teachers to ensure that the climate of their schools is welcoming to

all students and provides a safe learning environment. The

Commission also encourages the enforcement of local board policies

and procedures to prevent acts of harassment, bullying, or

discrimination.

b. The Commission strongly recommends that the Office of

Professional Development, under the State Board of Education,

promote professional development that helps superintendents,

principals, and teachers make learning more relevant for culturally

diverse populations and for local boards of education to encourage

superintendents, principals, and teachers to seek out this professional

development.

a. DPI reports that a partnership with the UNC School of Social

Work has been created to provide School Success Profile ( SSP) and

Elementary School Success Profile ( ESSP) in high need

communities. The SSP and ESSP feature dimensions that focus on

neighborhood safety, positive behaviors for teens, using good social

skills, and peaceful interaction. Twenty- first century community

learning centers receive grants to serve students in high- poverty and

low- performing schools. These four- year grants create community

learning centers that provide academic support to students at risk.

b. The Office of Professional Development ( in the Division of Talent

Management and Development) has delivered training on principal

executive standards throughout the State during the summer and fall

of 2007. Among these standards is: Cultural leadership which

" visibly supports the positive, culturally- responsive traditions of the

school community." In addition, the Raising Achievement and

Closing the Gaps staff has joined the District and School

Transformation division; from that locus they will continue to offer

workshops and assessments related to cultural competency.

25

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 6: Rigorous Academic Courses and Less

Remediation

The Commission strongly encourages schools to promote high

expectations and offer rigorous instruction and support for students

identified as not being prepared for coursework at the next grade

level.

The Commission also encourages high schools to offer all students a

rigorous academic core of courses and access to academically

challenging courses such as Advanced Placement and Honors

classes.

DPI reports that in 2009- 10, the " future- ready core" of courses will

become the default course of study for all high school freshmen in

North Carolina. The current year is a year of planning and

implementation to ensure that students, parents, and schools

understand the need for all students to access a rigorous, challenging

course of study. In addition, the rollout of the comprehensive

support to districts and schools across the State means that there are

district and school transformation coaches who are first in line to

assist struggling performers and trouble- shoot in areas where

weaknesses become evident. Extensive needs assessment training

enable instructional facilitators, Title I specialists, and other

departmental staff to conduct thorough and thoughtful assessments

of schools and districts that are chronically low- performing.

26

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 7: Career and Technical Education ( CTE)

Courses

a. The Commission recommends that schools should enhance their

Career and Technical Education ( CTE) courses in middle school and

high school for all students.

The Commission strongly encourages schools to offer high- quality

CTE courses in high- demand, high- skill, and high- wage fields.

a. DPI reports that the new federal law ( Carl D Perkins CTE Act of

2006), requires the development of challenging academic and

technical standards to assist students in preparation for high- wage,

high- skill or high- demand occupations. Enhancements of CTE

courses at middle school and high school include:

 Aligning curriculum with national skills standards,

national curriculum standards, and industry standards

where appropriate

 Developing state supported curriculum that meets the

needs of business and industry and available online

 Using State and local labor market data to help make

program offering decisions

 Implementing CTE programs within the secondary

schools to provide an industry- recognized and issued

certificate of skill attainment

 Assisting all LEAs in implementing a career

development program for students focused on high-demand,

high- skill, and high- wage occupations. The

Local Plan documents assurance that this service will be

provided

Providing direction to assist students to engage in work- based

learning such as apprenticeships and internships. State guide is

available online to help school systems. State development is

available yearly. The Department of Labor and DPI work to identify

and facilitate opportunities.

27

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 7. continued

b. The Commission also strongly encourages schools to ensure equal

access for girls in rigorous training for high- skill, high- wage jobs in

high- need professions

and to encourage girls to pursue nontraditional female jobs.

b. DPI CTE is ensuring equal access for females in training for high-need

areas and in jobs that are not traditionally female and has

included two nontraditional core indicators in its eight core

indicators of student achievement. These nontraditional core

indicators are:

1. Student participation in courses leading to nontraditional

occupations

2. Student completion in courses leading to nontraditional

occupations.

As part of the CTE Local Plan, LEAs are to develop strategies that

increase female participation and completion of courses leading to

nontraditional occupations / careers.

Further, as a component of DPI's responsibilities to the U. S.

Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, DPI CTE ensures

equal access.

28

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 8. Impact of Raising the Compulsory

Attendance Age

The Commission recommended that the General Assembly direct the

Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina to study

raising the compulsory attendance age for public school attendance

from sixteen to seventeen or eighteen. The study should examine

other states that have raised the compulsory attendance age to

determine all impacts, including the effect on the dropout rate and

the fiscal impact. The Board of Governors of The University of

North Carolina shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on

Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation and the Joint

Legislative Education Oversight Committee by November 15, 2008.

In response to this recommendation, HB 2289 and SB 1812 were

introduced and language was incorporated into the 2008 Studies bill.

S. L. 2008- 181, Sec. 5.4 allows the Joint Legislative Education

Oversight Committee ( Committee), in coordination with the

Department of Public Instruction, to study the impacts of raising the

compulsory public school attendance age from 16 to 17 or 18. The

Committee must consider all of the following:

 Impacts that raising the compulsory school attendance age has

had in states that have raised the age in the last 15 years.

 Conclusions that can be drawn as to the impact the compulsory

school attendance age has made in the dropout and high school

completion rates for states who require compulsory school

attendance to ages 16, 17, and 18, respectively.

 Best practices for working with at- risk students who remain in

school that have been employed in states that have raised the

compulsory attendance age in the last 15 years.

 The fiscal impact of raising the compulsory school attendance

age from 16 to 17 and 16 to 18, respectively, for each local

school administrative unit in North Carolina.

The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee has taken

no action on this issue.

29

Recommendation Outcome

Recommendation 9. Differences in Risk Factors that Lead to

Males and Females Dropping Out

The Commission encouraged the UNC Board of Governors to

conduct research to determine if there are gender- based differences

in the factors which cause males and females to drop out of school,

and if there are gender- based intervention strategies to prevent males

and females from dropping out of school.

No information is available for this recommendation.

30

Recommendation Outcome

10: Dropout Prevention Grants

a. The Commission strongly recommends that the General

Assembly enact legislation to appropriate funds for additional

dropout prevention grants, to reestablish the Committee on

Dropout Prevention to evaluate the impact of the dropout

prevention grants, and to appropriate funds for an independent

consultant to staff the Committee and provide technical

assistance to the grant recipients. The Committee shall report

the results of its evaluations to the Joint Legislative Commission

on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation and the

Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

a. In response to this recommendation, HB 2418 and SB 1752 were

introduced and referred to the Appropriations Committees. These

bills would provide $ 5.5. million for FY 08- 09 to fund an additional

40 grants to applicants that did not previously receive funding,

reestablish the Committee on Dropout Prevention to evaluate the

impact of the dropout prevention grants, and to appropriate funds

for an independent consultant to staff the Committee and provide

technical assistance to the grant recipients, and to evaluate the

effectiveness of the grants. These bills were not enacted in their

original form but provisions were included as a part of the 2008

budget bill.

S. L. 2008- 107, Sec. 7.14 and 7.14A and S. L. 2008- 181, Part XXXV

addressed changes to the dropout prevention grants, the Committee

on Dropout Prevention and the Joint Legislative Commission on

Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation. Fifteen million

dollars was appropriated in the following manner: $ 5.5 million for

applicants who were not previously funded and $ 9.5 million to

award new grants or provide additional funds to previous grantees.

The Committee on Dropout Prevention ( Committee) was

reestablished to determine which local school administrative units,

schools, agencies, and nonprofits will receive dropout prevention

grants provided by those sections, the amount of each grant, and

eligible uses of the grant funding. The Committee will continue to

be located administratively in the Department of Public Instruction

31

Recommendation Outcome

( DPI) but will exercise its powers and duties independently of DPI.

DPI must provide for the administrative costs of the Committee and

provide technical assistance to the grant recipients.

The Committee must evaluate the impact of the grants awarded

under S. L. 2007- 323 and new grants awarded under S. L. 2008- 107,

using information reported by the grantees, and must make an

interim report of the evaluations of the grants awarded under S. L.

2007- 323 by March 31, 2009 and a final report by November 15,

2009 to the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention

and High School Graduation and the Joint Legislative Education

Oversight Committee. The Committee must make an interim report

of the evaluations of the grants awarded under this section by March

31, 2010 and a final report by November 15, 2010 to the Joint

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School

Graduation and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight

Committee. The Committee may contract with an independent

consultant to assist in grant evaluation.

The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and

High School Graduation was directed to study the development of

an effective network to share best practices.

b. The Commission also strongly recommends that the Joint

Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School

Graduation should be continued to monitor both existing and

future grants.

b. In response to this recommendation, HB 2288 and SB 1806

were introduced and incorporated into the 2008 Studies bill. The

Commission was extended to the filing of its final report or the

convening of the 2011 Session of the General Assembly,

whichever is later.