The Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act, also known as HB266, aims to create an alternative pathway for students aged 18 and older who have withdrawn from high school to earn a diploma through the Adult Education Division of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). The bill mandates the ACCS to develop a nontraditional high school diploma program that aligns with public high school requirements and requires collaboration with local education agencies to promote this initiative. Notably, students who enroll in this program within one year of withdrawal will not be counted as dropouts for graduation rate calculations. The bill also amends Sections 16-28-3.1 and 16-28-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the exit interview process, ensuring students and guardians receive comprehensive information about the impacts of early withdrawal and available educational programs.

In addition to the educational provisions, HB266 introduces measures to improve dropout prevention strategies, including full course fee waivers for eligible students in dual credit courses, flexible programs for older students, and targeted support for at-risk middle and high school students. The bill requires the State Department of Education to compile data on dropout prevention efforts and mandates local education agencies to report student withdrawal data quarterly. It also modifies existing laws regarding driver's license eligibility for individuals under 19, stipulating that proof of enrollment in a nontraditional diploma program is necessary to avoid license suspension. The bill further clarifies the notification procedures for the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency regarding license suspensions related to specific criminal convictions, replacing "promulgate" with "adopt" and removing "and regulations" from the text. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-28-3, 16-28-40
Engrossed: 16-28-3, 16-28-40
Enrolled: 16-28-3, 16-28-40