2005 Vermont Code - § 1049a. — High school completion program

§ 1049a. High school completion program

(a) In this section:

(1) "Graduation education plan" means a written plan leading to a high school diploma for a person who is 16 to 22 years of age, has not received a high school diploma, and is not enrolled in a public school. The plan shall define the scope and rigor of services necessary for the student to attain a high school diploma, and may describe educational services to be provided by a public high school, an approved independent high school, an approved provider, or a combination of these.

(2) "Approved provider" means an agency approved by the commissioner to provide educational services which may be counted for credit toward a high school diploma.

(b) The commissioner shall assign a student who wishes to work on a graduation education plan to a high school district which shall be the district of residence whenever possible. Upon assignment, the school district shall work with an agency which has entered into contract with the department of education to provide adult education services in Vermont and the student to develop a graduation education plan. The school district shall award a high school diploma upon successful completion of the plan.

(c) The commissioner shall reimburse, and net cash payments where possible, a town school district, city school district, union school district, unified union school district, incorporated school district, or member school district of an interstate school district which has agreed to a graduation education plan in an amount:

(1) established by the commissioner for development of the graduation education plan and for other educational services typically provided by the district or an approved independent school pursuant to the plan, such as counseling, health services, participation in co-curricular activities, and participation in academic or other courses; and

(2) negotiated by the commissioner and the agency which has entered into contract with the department of education to provide adult education services in Vermont, with the approved provider, for services and outcomes purchased from the approved provider on behalf of the student pursuant to the graduation education plan.

(d) On or before January 30 of each year, beginning in 2008, the commissioner shall report to the senate and house committees on education on the number of students participating in a graduation education plan, the number completing a plan, and the amount paid. The commissioner shall present the information by school district, approved independent school and approved provider. (Added 2005, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)