NC H1878

Appropriates $6,024,091 in recurring General Funds from the Department of Public Instruction for fiscal year 2010-2011 to support Communities in Schools of North Carolina, Inc. programs and services.

Requires Communities in Schools to place at least 100 graduation coaches in middle or high schools, prioritizing schools with four-year cohort graduation rates below 60% or performance composite scores below 50%.

Graduation coaches must identify at-risk students, coordinate academic assistance, refer students to counselors and social workers, recruit mentors and tutors, contact parents, and provide information on graduation requirements and higher education opportunities.

Graduation coaches shall refer students needing services for substance abuse, domestic violence, family planning, or mental health to appropriate providers.

Communities in Schools must report on graduation coach activities to the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 15, 2011, and annually thereafter; effective July 1, 2010.