Prohibits the department of education from eliminating the competency-based high school diploma. Allows prohibition of participation by children under age 17.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the competency-based high school diploma program in the department of education is in the process of being eliminated, thereby forcing all students who are now in the program to instead seek general education development. The legislature is concerned that this alternative means of attaining a high school diploma will have a negative impact on our communities. The legislature is also concerned about the lack of communication from the department of education to the legislature on this issue.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the termination of the competency-based high school diploma program.

SECTION 2. The department of education shall not terminate, without prior legislative approval, the competency-based high school diploma program; provided that the department may exclude participation in the program by students who are less than seventeen years of age.

SECTION 3. The department of education shall not reduce the amounts budgeted or expended for the competency-based high school diploma program by any amount that is more than proportional to the number of participants being served in the program.

SECTION 4. Any action by the department of education in violation of section 2 or 3 of this Act shall be void as against public policy.

SECTION 5. The department of education shall submit a status report on the status of the competency-based high school diploma program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.