1. (a) Awarding Competitive Grants. Pursuant to Section 14-103.1 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the State Board shall award one or more competitive grants for Dropout Recovery Programs (“Programs” or “Program”) to technology center school districts each fiscal year that have demonstrated the greatest need for dropout recovery prevention and recovery.
2. (b) Applications. When starting a new program, technology center school districts shall submit a completed application to the Department which shall include the following information:
3. (1) Proof that the technology center school district does not already have an intensive dropout prevention program;
4. (2) How the technology center school district will provide high school credential opportunities which will increase high school completion rates;
5. (3) How the technology center school district will provide career strategies through a technical program or an employment component to enhance the potential for employment;
6. (4) Current or future plans to work with agencies and entities that serve juvenile populations;
7. (5) A detailed list of clear and measurable goals for the Program;
8. (6) Proof that the technology center school district can either:
9. (A) Devote not less than four (4) hours and twelve (12) minutes per day to academic instruction for the locally approved 180-day calendar year, or
10. (B) Provide students in the Program at least 756 hours of academic instruction per school year;
11. (7) A proposed annual budget for the Program;
12. (8) Whether the Program will offer initial academic credit and/or credit recovery for academic courses;
13. (9) An MOU between the sending school(s) and the technology center that includes the policies and procedures for the Program and requirements for students to receive credit; and
14. (10) Any other information required by the Department.
15. (c) Dropout Recovery Programs. Once a competitive grant awarded, the technology center school district shall participate in an annual review to verify compliance with the following requirements:
16. (1) Advisory Committee. The technology center school district shall utilize an advisory committee for planning and student success.
17. (2) Instructors. The technology center school district shall hire certified instructors for the Program. Instructor certifications are not restricted to grade-specific or subject specific areas. The certified instructor should be able to demonstrate an ability to successfully work with at-risk students.
18. (3) Class Size; Ratios. The technology center school district shall ensure class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios are conductive to effective and safe learning of at-risk students.
19. (4) Instruction. The technology center school district shall incorporate structure, curriculum, interaction, and reinforcement strategies designed to provide effective individualized instruction.
20. (5) Individualized Credentialing Plan. The technology center school district shall provide each student in the Program an individualized credentialing plan based on the student’s career goals and high school graduation requirements for each sending school district or preparation for high school equivalency.
21. (6) Counseling and Social Services; License Required. The technology center school district shall offer counseling and social services to all students in the Program. Any person providing such services shall hold an active license as a counselor or mental health provider.
22. (7) Instruction Hours. The technology center school district shall either:
23. (A) Devote not less than four (4) hours and twelve (12) minutes per day to academic instruction for the locally approved 180-day calendar year; or
24. (B) A school day may consist of less than four (4) hours and twelve (12) minutes per day to academic instruction, provided the students in the Program receive at least 756 hours of academic instruction per school year. The technology center school district that utilizes the total instruction hours option shall notify the Department.
25. (8) MOU. The technology center shall enter into an MOU with their sending schools that includes the policies and procedures for the Program and requirements for the students to receive credit.
26. (d) Financial Reporting. Technology center school districts shall submit to the Department:
27. (1) Quarterly invoices; and
28. (2) By September 15 of each school year, a report of all revenue received and expended for students participating in the Program.
29. (e) Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with Program requirements shall:
30. (1) Be cause for an audit of the Program; and
31. (2) Be included in the consideration for the eligibility of a technology center school district to be awarded future competitive grants.

Added at 42 Ok Reg, Number 20, effective 7-11-25