SB0446 Summary

• Amends the School Code to establish an incentive weighting program for school districts with high school dropout rates at least 2 times the state average, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

• Provides a 2x Foundation Level weighting for each high school dropout who has been dropped from enrollment for at least one month and reenrolled in an evidence-based dropout recovery program.

• Requires new programs to serve a minimum of 50 reenrolled dropouts and mandates use of evidence-based best practices including strong leadership, small class sizes, comprehensive programming, and employment/career preparation.

• Establishes strict accountability outcomes including enrollment, attendance, skill gains, credit gains, graduation rates, and transition to college or employment, with emphasis on achieving 75% attendance by the sixth month.

• Allows school districts or educational service regions to operate dropout recovery programs directly or contract with not-for-profit organizations to provide services.