167.280. Support services for students at high risk--application, elements--priority applications, elements--use of funds--allowable costs. - Missouri Statutes

Support services for students at high risk--application,elements--priority applications, elements--use offunds--allowable costs.

167.280. 1. Within the amounts appropriated therefor, the state boardof education shall award funds for the purpose of providing support servicesto pupils enrolled in public and nonpublic schools who are identified ashaving a high risk of dropping out of school. Such awards shall be made on acompetitive basis to public institutions of higher education or consortia ofpublic institutions in cooperation with school districts and not-for-profitcommunity-based organizations. In areas of the state where publicinstitutions of higher education are unable to provide appropriate services tohigh school pupils, the state board may award funds to not-for-profitcommunity-based organizations in cooperation with school districts.

2. All applications for funds shall include the following programelements:

(1) A program for identifying pupils who are at risk of dropping out ofschool as measured by academic performance, attendance, discipline problems,and other factors affecting school performance including, but not limited to,teenage pregnancy or parenting, residence in a homeless shelter or othertemporary living arrangement, substance abuse, child abuse or neglect, orlimited English proficiency;

(2) A program for encouraging the use of volunteers and promoting parentinvolvement as counselors in programs;

(3) A program to provide for continuity of services throughout a pupil'sprogression through secondary school.

3. In awarding such funds, the state board shall give priority toapplications that:

(1) Provide services to pupils identified according to criteriaestablished by the state board of education as in need of assistance;

(2) Replicate model programs of proven effectiveness which the stateboard of education has identified and has made available to applicants;

(3) Demonstrate a high level of institutional commitment to programs infields of counseling, including education, social work, psychology andsociology, and the extent to which such institutions shall involve facultymembers and graduate or professional students from such degree programs;

(4) Demonstrate a high level of commitment to provide services andensure continuity of services until such pupils graduate from high school orreceive a high school equivalency diploma.

4. In awarding funds the state board of education may consider anymatching funds that the public institutions of higher education, thenot-for-profit community-based organizations, and the school districts maycontribute, which may include gifts or bequests from private sources, federalfinancial aid, or local revenues generated for this purpose.

5. Services for nonpublic school pupils shall be provided at sites otherthan sectarian nonpublic schools.

6. Funds available under this section shall be used for compensatory andsupport services to pupils who are identified by the schools as being at riskof dropping out of school. Such services to be provided under this sectionmay include skills assessment, tutoring, academic and personal counseling,family counseling and home visits, and staff development activities forpersonnel with direct responsibility for such pupils.

7. Allowable costs under this program may include, but need not belimited to, salaries of personnel including graduate student stipends,transportation costs for pupils and program personnel, instructionalmaterials, reimbursement to school districts for release time granted toemployees while participating in the planning and development activitiesfunded pursuant to this section, training of program personnel, and costsrelated directly to administration of the program.

8. The state board of education shall promulgate all rules andregulations for the implementation of this section.

(L. 1990 S.B. 740 § 10)