<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-101" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Operator” means a private nonprofit entity that establishes a pilot under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Pilot” means an adult high school established by an operator under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means the Adult High School Pilot Program.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Wraparound services” means individualized services, excluding regular school programs and services, that are provided to the student and the student’s family.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Wraparound services” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Child care;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Transportation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Housing referrals;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Mental health;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Crisis intervention;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Substance abuse prevention or treatment; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Legal aid.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-102" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Adult High School Pilot Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The general purpose of the Program is to establish an alternative method for adults who did not graduate from high school to earn a high school diploma and potentially to earn postsecondary education credits and industry–recognized certification in an environment that meets the needs of the adult learner.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Program is under the authority and supervision of the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-103" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, may approve up to six pilots.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A pilot established under the Program shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Operate from a fixed physical location;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Enroll students who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Are 21 years old or older;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Do not have a high school diploma; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Did not complete the requirements for high school graduation through GED testing or a National External Diploma program;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Enroll a maximum of 350 students;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Offer wraparound services necessary for the adult learner; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Grant a Maryland high school diploma on completion of the required course of study.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>When considering whether to approve a pilot under this section, the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Give priority to a pilot located in a county or geographic area located within a county that has a high school attainment rate that is lower than the State average high school attainment rate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consider geographic diversity in locations for the pilots; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Approve one pilot in a rural area for each two pilots approved in urban areas.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A pilot established under the Program is not a public school for public financing purposes under Title 5 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-104" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>To establish a pilot under the Program, an applicant shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor a plan that describes in detail the pilot operator, the pilot program description, the proposed curriculum, assessment procedures, performance standards, wraparound services, the budget, and the proposed bylaws adopted by the pilot’s Advisory Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The plan under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The proposed curriculum and performance standards that align with the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Initial student intake assessment procedures;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Plans for the provision of remedial instruction to prepare students for secondary–level academic instruction, if necessary;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Plans for working with students with disabilities;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>A description of assessment instruments for measuring student progress and college and career readiness;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>A description of any programs or partnerships with organizations or businesses for providing job skills, industry certifications, or higher education credits;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The wraparound services offered;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>A description of the advisory and coaching services that provide support for students to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Establish career pathways in high need and growth industry sectors; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Make effective transitions into postsecondary education and industry credentialing opportunities;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The pilot’s governance plan;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>A detailed budget for the initial 3–year operating period that demonstrates the pilot’s financial self–sufficiency; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Plans for working with English language learners.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 60 days of the date of receipt of a plan submitted under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, shall approve or disapprove the pilot’s curriculum; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department approves the pilot’s curriculum under item (1) of this subsection, the Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, shall approve or disapprove the applicant’s plan and pilot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 30 days of the date of approval of the plan and pilot under subsection (b)(2) of this section and in accordance with the authority of the State Board under § 2–205 of this article to grant waivers from regulations adopted by the State Board, the State Board shall grant the pilot a waiver from any regulation that conflicts with the purpose and goals of the pilot’s plan approved by the Department, including the student service requirement in COMAR 13A.03.02.05.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A waiver required under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be granted related to assessment requirements in COMAR 13A.03.02.06.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A pilot shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be subject to the requirements of § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide accommodations equal to those a student would qualify for under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if a student has a disability with an educational impact.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-105" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall establish qualifications for operators of pilots under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The qualifications shall, at a minimum, require an operator to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be registered as a nonprofit organization in the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have previous experience and measured success in providing education services to adult learners, including industry certification and job placement services;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Have previous experience providing education services or workforce development services to adult learners who have been limited by educational disadvantages, a disability, a criminal record, or similar barriers to employment opportunities;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Have secured financing to develop or the capability to secure financing for the development of a physical site for the pilot; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Hire appropriately trained instructional personnel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An operator may be a partnership of two or more persons that meet the qualifications required under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The operator shall adopt written standards for the admission and dismissal of students.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The standards and any amendments shall be submitted to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor for approval.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The operator may partner with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A county board of education; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public institution of higher education in the State if the operator intends to provide course work for college credit.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-106" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>An Advisory Board shall govern a pilot.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An Advisory Board shall consist of at least 11 members and not more than 25 members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the Advisory Board members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One shall be appointed by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One shall be appointed by the Maryland Department of Labor; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The remaining members shall be selected in accordance with the bylaws of the pilot.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the vacating member was appointed or selected.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Advisory Board shall determine its officers.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-107" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The Program may provide grants to pilots approved under and operating in accordance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a federal fund or a general fund appropriation of $250,000 to the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a federal fund or a general fund appropriation of $250,000 for each pilot approved and operating in accordance with this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The operator or Advisory Board of a pilot may apply for and accept donations, grants, or other financial assistance from a governmental entity or any nonprofit or other private organization.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-108" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>An operator shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot each year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The operator, after receiving approval of the Advisory Board, shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor an evaluation report for the prior fiscal year that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The academic and career progress of each student enrolled in the pilot; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The pilot’s fiscal year financial report.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-109" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning October 1, 2018, and on or before October 1 each year thereafter, the operator of a pilot shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor the following information for the prior fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Whether students enrolled in the pilot are on track for completion in a time determined to be reasonable by the Advisory Board of the pilot;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The academic levels of the students at the time of enrollment in the pilot;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The number of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Credits students completed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Students who completed and graduated from the pilot;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The academic progress of the students as measured by the student intake assessment instrument and the assessment instrument used;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The graduation rate;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The number of postsecondary education credits earned and the types of credits sought;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The number of industry credentials earned and the types of industry credentials; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Any reported postgraduation employment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before December 1, 2020, the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall jointly submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly a report that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An evaluation of each pilot approved under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A recommendation as to expansion, continuation, modifications to, or termination of the Program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Demographic information on student enrollment under the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The fiscal solvency of the Program.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="9.7-110" title_number="9.7" title_name="Adult High School Pilot Program" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>If the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor agree that the Program is not effective, the Department and Maryland Department of Labor shall send written notice to the pilots that the Program has been discontinued.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall jointly adopt regulations to implement the Program.</text> </level> </section>