The Drop-Out Recovery Program

The Drop-Out Recovery program was developed by NEKLS.  The goal of this program is to provide persons (over sixteen) who dropped out of high school, with two years or more of credits, with an opportunity to earn a competency based high school diploma.
Drop-Out Recovery is offered only with the approval of participating high schools.  The high school board must approve the program, the competencies, the awarding of credit for the competencies and the awarding of specific credit when the necessary competencies have been obtained.
After a school board has approved the program, an NEKLS staff member will meet with the school representative and determine what courses will be included in the program.  The group cooperatively identifies the classes for which credit will be offered and identify the key competencies which must be mastered by the student.
The school then decides how the student will demonstrate mastery.  Usually, it is a mix of testing, preparing reports and portfolio activities.  ABE teachers will teach students enrolled in this program according to the competencies.  When the ABE teacher and student believe mastery has been accomplished, the student will petition the school for review.  The student and teacher will attend the review session at the school with the student presenting.  If mastery is demonstrated, then credit will be awarded and the student approved for the awarding of a diploma.
Generally, students enrolled in Drop-Out Recovery must have attended the school that will award the diploma.  NEKLS prefers that no student be awarded a diploma prior to the year he/she would have graduated.  There is no charge for participating students either to the student or to the high school awarding the diploma.

OVERVIEW
The goal of the Drop-Out Recovery program is to provide former high school students who did not graduate an opportunity to complete their high school education.  The program ensures that high quality resources are easily and immediately available once the all important commitment to seek a diploma has been made.  Drop-Out Recovery program participants will demonstrate mastery of the same competencies contained in the required curricula of any participating high school.  However, while the competencies will be the same, the method for accomplishment will differ.  Drop-Out Recovery recognizes that adults have unique life needs and circumstances as well as busy schedules and limited time to spend on their own goals.  Thus, each student has an Individualized Learning Plan that identifies and responds to those needs and is based upon their past educational experiences and future life goals.  Unlike traditional high school program, Drop-Out Recovery is a year-round program with no time limits.  Students can progress at their own rate until they complete the necessary competencies.
The Drop-Out Recovery program design ensures that participating high school course credit requirements can be accomplished by program students.  Each course required by the high school for credit towards graduation is divided into competencies.  These competencies are outcome based and modeled after the Vermont Framework as well as the school's curriculum.  Students report these competencies in their individual portfolios which may contain audio and/or visual work as well as written text.  Upon approval of the school, a student may also "bid for credit" by submitting an autobiographical chapter pertaining to competencies in certain subject areas, or by actually demonstrating skills (possibly at the workplace) which would meet such competencies.  Monthly progress reviews by NEKLS staff track a student's progress in anticipation of a final review of the portfolio.  Upon recommendation of the evaluation team, the school board will grant the diploma.
The combined educational efforts of the participating high school and NEKLS will provide Drop-Out Recovery students with a unique opportunity to achieve their own educational goals, as well as to become symbols of the importance of education to the local community.  Achievement of the high school diploma contributes to the student's potential for economic viability as well as to the goal, that the "successful future of communities is dependent on the continued learning, knowledge and skills of the individuals within those communities."

ELIGIBILITY
The Drop-Out Recovery program is designed to give high school dropouts the opportunity to get their high school diploma.  High school drop-outs from other schools that now live in the participating school district may, with permission from the supervisory union, enter until the program.  Students whose class has not yet graduated will only be eligible for the program with prior approval of the participating high school administration.  All individuals interested in Drop-Out Recovery will be interviewed by NEKLS staff to determine eligibility.

PROCESS

• Eligible candidates apply for the program and sign a release of information form with NEKLS.
• School Guidance Department reviews candidate's records and determines graduation requirements.
• NEKLS site manager assigns a teacher for candidate (now student).
• NEKLS teacher and the student begin the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) development process.
• Student meets with teacher and graduation requirements are discussed; When indicated, the student is assessed;
• ILP goals and timelines are developed by the student and tutor; vocational and/or post secondary goals are identified and incorporated;
• ILP identifies needed competencies in academic, vocational and personal areas;
• Student approves ILP and demonstrates resources necessary to complete;
• Plan reviewed by school principal or designed
• Instruction begins
• Monthly progress reviewed by teacher and facilitated by site manager; progress reported to or checked by school staff when appropriate.
• School and NEKLS cooperate in supporting student.
• Completed portfolio submitted to high school team of final review and certification of completion.
• School principal submits portfolio to school board with recommendation that a diploma be granted.
• Diploma granted.