Alabama Senate OKs program for high school dropouts to earn diplomas
Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, stands in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 8, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
The Alabama Senate passed a bill Tuesday to create a program allowing high school dropouts to get their diplomas through the Adult Education Division of the Alabama Community College System.
HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, would be known as the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act.
A 17-year-old student can leave high school early if their parents agree and after an exit meeting. The exit interview informs the parent or guardian about the potential negative impacts of dropping out, such as lower future earnings and a higher chance of unemployment, and the student is provided with information on the 'detrimental impacts and effects of early withdrawal.'
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The REACH Act would require students to be provided with information during the exit interview on options available after dropping out, and require local education boards to report to the Alabama State Department of Education on student withdrawal rates.
The bill passed with no discussion on a 34-0 vote and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.
The Alabama Community College System endorsed the bill at its March meeting. Boone Kinard, executive director of external affairs, said then that more students would be able to take advantage of the system's adult education program, and the 'State Department of Education to get better data.'
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