NC H727

Modifies criteria for awarding dropout prevention grants by prioritizing applications from counties with no current grant recipients when applications are of equal quality and merit.

Changes priority eligibility from schools with graduation rates below 65% to schools with either graduation rates below 60% in the most recent year and one of two prior years, or a performance composite below 50%.

Requires grant proposals to demonstrate potential for success using multiple evidence-based programmatic elements and directs the Committee on Dropout Prevention to use prior grant cycle evaluations to identify effective and replicable elements.

Allocates up to $100,000 in the 2011-2012 fiscal year for a systematic study of high schools that significantly reduced dropout rates over three years, including schools in counties without dropout prevention grants and former grant recipients.

Effective July 1, 2011.