The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1348 proposes the establishment of a pilot program aimed at assisting high school students who are at risk of withdrawing from school or failing to graduate. Set to take effect on July 1, 2025, the bill mandates the Department of Education to collaborate with a nonprofit educational organization to implement this program in up to four selected school districts. The program will feature a project-based learning curriculum that encompasses subjects such as science, mathematics, English language arts, and social studies, integrating experiential learning and aligning academic content with career pathways. The curriculum must adhere to state guidelines and standards as approved by the State Board of Education.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education to submit a report by October 1, 2026, detailing the outcomes of the pilot program and offering recommendations for its potential continuation or expansion. The bill includes new legal language to establish this program and outlines the reporting requirements, while it also indicates that proposed deletions from current law are not applicable in this context. The overall purpose of the bill is to re-engage students who have fallen behind in their education and are at risk of dropping out.