The Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act establishes a nontraditional high school diploma option for students aged 18 and older who have withdrawn from high school, to be managed by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) in collaboration with the State Superintendent of Education and the State Department of Education. The ACCS is tasked with developing and overseeing the program to ensure it meets public high school diploma requirements. The Act also mandates annual reporting to the Legislature on the program's effectiveness and stipulates that students participating in this program will not be counted as dropouts in graduation rate calculations. Additionally, the bill enhances exit interview procedures by requiring local high schools to provide information on adult education programs and share academic records with students who withdraw.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to support at-risk students, such as offering full course fee waivers for those eligible for free or reduced lunches in dual credit courses, and implementing flexible programs for older students. It emphasizes the need for tailored support systems for students at risk of dropping out, including those in foster care and those with special educational needs. The bill also mandates the State Department of Education to compile data on dropout prevention programs and requires local education agencies to report student withdrawal data quarterly. Additionally, it modifies existing laws regarding driver's license eligibility for individuals under 19, requiring proof of enrollment in a nontraditional diploma program or other educational qualifications, while ensuring that uncontrollable circumstances do not lead to license suspension. The bill also updates the notification procedures for driver's license suspensions related to specific crimes, replacing "promulgate" with "adopt" and removing "and regulations" to streamline the process. 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