Bill > HB266

This bill creates the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act, which establishes a nontraditional high school diploma option for students 18 years and older who have withdrawn from high school. The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) will develop and manage this alternative pathway to earning a high school diploma, working closely with local education agencies to promote the program and raise awareness. The bill requires tracking of program participation and effectiveness, and mandates that students who earn a diploma through this option will be eligible for admission to two-year and four-year higher education institutions. Additionally, the bill modifies driver's license regulations to allow students participating in the nontraditional diploma program or GED preparation to be eligible for a driver's license. Local schools must now provide more comprehensive information during student withdrawal interviews, including details about adult education programs and services. The legislation also requires local education agencies to report quarterly student withdrawal data to the State Department of Education, with the goal of reducing dropout rates and providing more educational opportunities for students who have previously left school before completing their diploma.

Education

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