MS SB2454

Creates an Office of Dropout Prevention within the State Department of Education, led by a director appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education.

Requires each school district to implement a dropout prevention program approved by the Office of Dropout Prevention starting in the 2012-2013 school year and annually thereafter.

Makes local school districts responsible for reducing dropouts through plans addressing initiatives tailored to individual districts, retention reduction in early grades, support for subgroups needing assistance, and recovery programs for ages 17-21.

Authorizes the Office of Dropout Prevention to provide technical assistance to school districts upon written request and to collaborate with other state education offices on dropout reduction initiatives.

Sets a legislative goal to increase the state graduation rate for cohort classes to 85% by the 2018-2019 school year, with benchmarks established for every two-year period from 2008-2009 through 2018-2019.