This bill aims to amend the funding structure for the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, a special alternative education program in West Virginia. It proposes to change the percentage of funding that county boards must pay for each student graduating from the academy from 75% to 100% of the amount allotted per pupil under the school aid formula. Additionally, the bill stipulates that 100% of federal funding per student will be retained by the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, with none remaining in the county. This change is intended to enhance the financial support for the academy, which serves students at risk of not succeeding in traditional educational settings.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that ensure students enrolled in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy are considered at full enrollment status in their referring counties for the purposes of calculating attendance and graduation rates, provided this does not conflict with federal law. If any conflicts arise, the state board is authorized to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education. The legislation emphasizes the importance of supporting at-risk students and facilitating their successful transition back into public schools, while also establishing clear guidelines for the operation and funding of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-6