expanding opportunities for dropout prevention and
dropout recovery and making an appropriation therefor
last updated 03/10/03, 12:00PM
From House Calendar No. 20, 3/7/03
HB 619-FN-A, expanding opportunities for dropout prevention and dropout recovery and making an
appropriation therefor. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT
Rep. Sharon M. Carson for Education: The committee supports the
establishments of the drop out prevention and drop out recovery program
in response to the drop out rate experienced in New Hampshire’s schools.
Compelling testimony was presented that highlighted both the need for
and the success of this program. The bill, as amended, will appropriate
$350,000.00 per year for a two year period targeted towards the first
five public high schools that have the highest drop out rate according
to the annual State report card. This bill, as amended also creates a
council that oversees the program, reports on its success to the
Department of Education, Legislature and Governor, and has the ability
to seek outside funding either federal or private, to offset the cost
of the program. Vote 16-0.
Amendment to HB 619-FN-A
Proposed by the Committee on Education - C
Amend RSA 189:60, II (d) as inserted by section 1 of the bill
by replacing it with the following:
(d) Apply for, receive, and expend any funds from federal, state, or
non-state sources, including grants and matching funds which may be
available, and accept private donations and gifts from any source.
Amend RSA 189:62, I as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing
it with the following:
I. All programs shall be eligible to apply for dropout prevention and
dropout recovery program and funds under this subdivision, provided
that such programs and funds shall be targeted, to the extent available,
to those high schools with the highest dropout rate, as determined by
the department of education.
Amend RSA 189:63 as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it
with the following:
189:63 Report. The dropout prevention and dropout recovery oversight
council shall annually submit a report to the speaker of the house of
representatives, the president of the senate, the commissioner of the
department of education, and the governor on the status of the dropout
prevention and dropout recovery program. The report shall include
details regarding an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the
program, the utilization of available funds in the program, dropout
rates of participating high schools or other participating entities,
graduation rates of participating high schools, the percent of
participating students pursuing postsecondary education, and the
percent of participating students securing employment in the year
following graduation.
Amend the bill by replacing section 2 with the following:
2 Appropriation. There is hereby appropriated the sum of $350,000 for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, and the sum of $350,000 for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, to the department of education for the
implementation of the dropout prevention and dropout recovery program
set forth in this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant
for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated.