Dropout Recovery Program (DRP)
What is a Dropout Recovery Program (DRP)
- A program dedicated to assisting youth that have left the education system the ability to achieve their high school diploma in an alternative setting including but not limited to online.
What are the requirements of a DRP?
- Please read the Arizona law implementing the DRP programs: A.R.S. §15-901.06 (http://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00901-06.htm)
- Must have alternative school status.
- Information about the requirements for Alternative School Status and the application process is available here: http://www.azed.gov/accountability-research/altschoolapp/. Questions about Alternative School Status should be directed to [email protected].
- Note: Alternative school status must be renewed each year. Please see the alternative school site for application timeline dates.
Who can offer a DRP?
- Every school district or charter district that provides instruction to high school students has the ability to offer a dropout recovery program (DRP) for eligible pupils. However, a provider of Arizona online instruction (AOI) pursuant to A.R.S. §15-808 may not also operate a DRP.
- School districts and charter districts may contract with an educational management organization (EMO) to provide a DRP. If contracting with an EMO, the LEA shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met:
- The EMO is accredited by a regional accrediting body.
- Teachers provided by the EMO hold a current teaching license from any state and a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card pursuant to section A.R.S. §15-534, and teachers of core subjects are highly qualified in the subjects to which they are assigned.
What must an LEA do to start a DRP?
- Be approved for Alternative School Status
- All LEAs email [email protected] for application documents
- If a charter district is sponsored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools:
- Charter holder shall submit a program of instruction amendment request to the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools that adds methods of instruction for the dropout recovery program.
- If necessary, the charter agreement shall be amended by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to be consistent with the additional of a dropout recovery program. Amendments necessary may include but not limited to:
- Expansion requests
- Charter mission amendment request
- Instructional days amendment request
- LEAs (including charters) shall submit the following annually to [email protected]:
- Signed and completed Dropout Recovery Program Assurances
- Written Learning Plan template containing the following:
- Start and anticipated end dates
- Courses to be completed by the pupil during the academic year
- Specify if the courses listed will be taken sequentially or concurrently
- LEA definition of Satisfactory Monthly Progress
Once ADE receives the documents:
- A review process will take place
- If satisfactory, approval letter emailed to the LEA
- ADE School Finance office will begin the implementation process within the ADE systems
- If unsatisfactory, the LEA will be notified with next steps
Annual Reporting
Per A.R.S. §15-901.06, on or before July 31 of each year, each school and educational management organization that provides a dropout recovery program shall report to the department of education the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the department:
1. The total number of students who satisfy both of the following requirements during the fiscal year:
Are continuously enrolled in the dropout recovery program for at least eighty school days; and,
Earn at least four and one-half credits or earn all the remaining credits that the student needs for graduation.
2. The total number of students who are enrolled in the dropout recovery program on or before January 31 during the fiscal year and who either:
Graduated before January 31; or,
Met all of the following requirements on January 31:
Were enrolled in the dropout recovery program; and,
Needed three or fewer credits to satisfy the graduation requirements prescribed by the state board of education; and,
Needed one or fewer credits in mathematics to satisfy the graduation requirements prescribed by the state board of education.
3. The percentage of students described in paragraph 2 of this subsection who graduated during the fiscal year.
4. The percentage of students described in paragraph 2 of this subsection who earned at least one college and career readiness indicator point.
Related Documents
- DRP Procedures
- For information, please reach out to [email protected]