S.B. 603 Summary

• Establishes new Chapter 302A provisions allowing students who experienced educational disruption (homelessness, foster care, family court cases, medical crises, school withdrawal, military family transfers, or other qualifying events) to earn high school credits through alternative education programs and diverse activities without standard attendance requirements.

• Requires the Department of Education to develop procedures allowing students experiencing educational disruption to receive full or partial credit for coursework completed through 23 approved pathways including competency demonstrations, exams, vocational training, community service, distance learning, military service, tutoring, and adult education programs.

• Mandates the Department establish a list of accepted alternative education programs by August 30, 2023, based on demonstrated success with disadvantaged students, support services, completion rates, and post-program outcomes.

• Requires complex areas to provide students experiencing educational disruption with expedited program admission, academic success coaches, flexible class scheduling, priority placement in required courses, credit consolidation, and access to extended school services.

• Allows eligible students to receive a high school diploma upon request if they complete state minimum graduation requirements or cannot reasonably finish requirements within four years; students may remain enrolled through age 20 (or age 22 if in special education) to complete graduation requirements.