What is a Dropout Recovery Program (DRP)
- A program dedicated to assisting youth that have left the education system the ability to achieve their high school diploma in an alternative setting including but not limited to online.
What do I need to do to apply for alternative school status?
What are the requirements of a DRP?
Who can offer a DRP?
- Every school district or charter district that provides instruction to high school students has the ability to offer a dropout recovery program (DRP) for eligible pupils. However, A provider of Arizona online instruction (AOI) pursuant to A.R.S. §15-808 may not also operate a DRP.
- School districts and charter districts may contract with an educational management organization (EMO) to provide a DRP. If contracting with an EMO, the LEA shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met:
- The EMO is accredited by a regional accrediting body.
- Teachers provided by the EMO hold a current teaching license from any state and a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card pursuant to section A.R.S. §15-534, and teachers of core subjects are highly qualified in the subjects to which they are assigned.
What must an LEA do to start a DRP?
- Apply for Alternative School Status
- If a charter district is sponsored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools:
- Charter holder shall submit a program of instruction amendment request to the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools that adds methods of instruction for the dropout recovery program.
- If necessary, the charter agreement shall be amended by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to be consistent with the additional of a dropout recovery program. Amendments necessary may include but not limited to:
- Expansion requests
- Charter mission amendment request
- Instructional days amendment request
- LEAs (including charters) shall submit the following annually by June 30th to [email protected]:
- Signed and completed Dropout Recovery Program Assurances
- Sample of an actual learning plan with the students information redacted
- LEA definition of Satisfactory Monthly Progress
- If LEA uses a 3rd party provider (EMO), documentation of their regional accreditation
Once ADE receives the documents, a review process will take place. After the review, if satisfactory, the request will be sent to the ADE School Finance office to begin the implementation process within the ADE systems.
Please note: Currently, ADE does not allow mid-year openings of DRPs. Therefore, any submission currently would be considered for the next fiscal/school year starting on July 1st.
Related Documents
Current Dropout Recovery Programs (EMO's not included)
- Arizona Call-a-Teen Youth Resources, Inc
- Tucson Youth Development/ACE Charter High School
- Casa Grande Unified High School District
- Prescott Unified District
- Eastpointe High School, Inc
- GAR, LLC dba Student Choice High School
- Career Success Schools
- North Star Charter School, Inc.
