An Act relative to dropout prevention and student recovery

This bill requires all children under 18 to attend school until high school graduation (amending attendance laws), repeals an outdated 1965 law, and creates a 3-year pilot program for school districts with high dropout rates. The pilot provides competitive grants to fund targeted dropout prevention strategies, including alternative education programs, graduation coaches, outreach to students who have dropped out, and support for pregnant or parenting students. Participating districts must track student progress toward diplomas or GEDs and submit annual reports to the education committee. The program will begin September 1, 2025, with a final evaluation recommending whether to expand, maintain, or end the initiative. It directly affects high school students at risk of dropping out, especially in districts above the state average for dropouts.