Bill > SB196

This bill establishes the Move on When Ready Act, a program that allows qualifying high school juniors and seniors to enroll full-time at eligible community colleges and receive secondary school credit. The bill defines key terms such as eligible institutions (which include two-year and some four-year public higher education institutions) and eligible students (11th or 12th-grade students from public high schools meeting specific criteria). Under the program, students can take approved courses at an eligible institution and receive high school credit, with the understanding that they will not participate in their original high school's activities or be counted as dropouts if they do not complete high school diploma requirements. The Alabama Community College System will administer the Move on When Ready Fund, which will reimburse institutions for the cost of tuition, materials, and fees for participating students, with a $200 records fee allocated to the local school board. The State Board of Education will develop program rules, including student eligibility criteria and counseling guidelines. Local school boards must provide information about the program to students and parents, and students must receive counseling and sign a form acknowledging program responsibilities. The bill requires annual reporting on program participation and outcomes, and it is set to become effective on July 1, 2026.