Dropout Recovery Programs (DRPs)

Dropout Recovery Programs (DRPs) are special alternative high schools designed to provide students who have left the traditional education system with an opportunity to complete and obtain a high school diploma. Students who have dropped out of high school face greater difficulties in a rapidly tightening marketplace, and have fewer opportunities for postsecondary success. DRPs provide a way to improve Arizona's dropout rate and increase the number of students successfully attaining high school graduation. School and Charter Districts may use this alternative pathway to serve the educational needs of such students, providing access to educational resources necessary to develop the skills to succeed in the 21st century, closing the opportunity gap.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Please read the Arizona law implementing DRPs: A.R.S. 15-901.06
  • Schools must provide instruction to high school students.
  • Schools must apply for and be granted alternative school status.
    • Alternative School Status is managed by Accountability and Research
    • Information about the requirements for Alternative School Status and the application process is available here: https://www.azed.gov/accountability-research/altschools
    • Questions about Alternative School Status should be directed to [email protected].
    • Note: Alternative School Status must be renewed each year, separately from annual DRP renewal. Please see the alternative school site application timeline dates and requirements. 
  • School Districts and Charter Districts must apply annually to offer a DRP. See application requirements, below. 

  • School Districts or Charter Districts (LEAs) that provide instruction to high school students may offer a Dropout Recovery Program (DRP) for eligible pupils.
  • However, LEAs providing an Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) program under A.R.S. §15-808  may not also operate a DRP.
  • Schools operating DRP must be an approved alternative school.
  • LEAs may contract with an Educational Management Organization (EMO) to provide a DRP. If contracting with an EMO, the LEA shall ensure that each following requirements is 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 according to section A.R.S. §15-534; and,
    • Teachers of core subjects are appropriately certified in the subjects they are assigned.

  • LEAs must have approval to offer an Alternative School. 
    • The Alternative School application process is annual.
      • New/proposed DRPs must apply for Alternative School status prior to applying to operate a DRP.
      • Extant/historic DRPs must reapply for Alternative School status prior to renewing a DRP.
    • Applications are generally due in early spring. 
    • Specific requirements are set by Accountability and Research. 
  • Charter Districts must have approval from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS) to operate a DRP.
    • Such approval usually requires an extant or amended Charter Agreement with a Program of Instruction and Instruction Time Model consistent with the addition of a DRP.  
    • ASBCS approval must be obtained prior to applying for approval to operate a DRP.  
  • Apply for approval to operate a DRP.  
    • The DRP team will review applications (and annual renewals) within 10 business days.
    • The approval process also includes School Finance verifying enrollment and inclusion in the payment system: LEAs must send documentation to ADE School Finance in July (activation takes approximately 3 weeks).
    • Schools may receive preliminary approval to operate a DRP subject to the completion of all subsequent requirements, including submission of annual reporting documentation.  

All application materials must be sent via email to the Dropout Recovery Inbox: [email protected] 

  1. New DRPs must meet all the preliminary requirements prior to applying to operate a DRP. 
    1. LEA must apply for and obtain Alternative School status for each school entity intending to operate a DRP.
    2. Charter Districts must obtain ASBCS approval to operate a DRP.  
  2. Submit DRP LEA application materials to Dropout Recovery Inbox:
    1. Signed and Completed Dropout Recovery Program Assurances
    2. Exemplar or redacted school-specific student Written Learning Plans, which must include:
      • Start date and anticipated graduation date/end date of the plan.
      • Courses to be completed by the pupil during the academic year.
      • Whether courses are to be taken sequentially or concurrently.
      • State competency exams to be taken, as necessary.
      • Expectations for Satisfactory Monthly Progress (SMP), which must meet minimum expectations for DRPs. See the SMP section below (3) for more details.
      • Expectations for contact with the pupil's assigned mentor. 
    3. LEA’s full definition of Satisfactory Monthly Progress (SMP), on school or LEA letterhead, or with attestation as approved by LEA governing board or leadership.
      • SMP definition must expect a full-year student to earn no less than 5.5 graduation credits per year, which comes to 1/2 credit per month. 
        • Note: the LEA definition must include a measure of monthly progress.
      • No provision of the SMP definition may reduce or minimize the 1/2-credit per month, nor 5.5 credits per year requirement, for any reason.
  3. Submit Educational Management Organization (EMO) documentation, if entity is contracting the services of an EMO:
    1. EMO's current regional accreditation, including expiration date.
    2. Affirmation of verification of teacher licensure qualifications. Note: Schools may, at any time, be required to provide sufficient evidence of teacher qualifications.  

Upon receipt, ADE shall determine if the LEA is eligible to operate the DRP. 

  • Tentative Approval may be granted to new entities, pending approval of Alternative School status and/or requirements from ASBCS.
  • Provisional Approval may be granted to existing entities, pending approval of Alternative School status and submission of school and EMO annual reporting requirements. 
  • Full Approval may be granted once all required submissions have been satisfactorily received, and all requirements have been met.  

The official governing procedures for DRPs: 
Dropout Recovery Program Procedures - 2026 
Note: this document is not required to be submitted.

Full instructions and expectations for applications are found in:
Application Guidelines for Dropout Recovery Programs.

To clarify the application process, and to simplify some of the requirements,
please submit a signed and dated DRP Application Shortlist.
This document specifies which other documents must be included in a full application,
and meets the requirements for the LEA and School ID requirements.

All submissions must also include a signed and dated:
Dropout Recovery Statement of Assurance.

All application materials should be emailed to the Dropout Recovery Inbox: [email protected].

Note that applications are accepted at any time.
Processing should result in a response within 30 days of a complete application.
Note that additional processing by School Finance is required following approval,
and may take a month to complete. Please plan accordingly.   

All LEAs operating a Dropout Recovery Program are subject to annual monitoring, auditing, and reporting requirements. A DRP Monitor shall be assigned to the entity annually to complete required monitoring activities. Auditing activities may be conducted by ADE from time to time.

Regardless of monitoring or auditing status, all DRPs are required to submit annual reporting requirements as required by law, in a manner determined and managed by the Arizona Department of Education. Annual reporting is intended to capture:

  • Enrollment and Progress of all students enrolled in the DRP during the prior academic year.
  • School success in graduating students throughout the year.
  • School success in meeting the College- and Career-Ready Indicators (CCRIs) for students enrolled in the program. 

LEAs should use the DRP Annual Reporting Form - FY25 for the 2024-2025 school year and submit to ADE by July 31st, 2026. 

One form should be submitted per school entity. 

LEAs using the services of an Educational Management Organization (EMO) are responsible for ensuring the submission of an accurate and timely EMO-specific annual report, in addition to their school-level report. 

Annual reporting must be completed by July 31st of the year following the reporting period.