Sec. 11. (a) A student who has left school is not included in clauses (A) through (K) of STEP THREE of the formula established in section 10(a) of this chapter unless the school can provide written proof that the student has left the school for one (1) of the reasons set forth in clauses (A) through (K) of STEP THREE of section 10(a) of this chapter. If the location of the student is unknown to the school, the principal of the school shall send a certified letter to the last known address of the student, inquiring about the student’s whereabouts and status. If the student is not located after the certified letter is delivered or if no response is received, the principal may submit the student’s information, including last known address, parent or guardian name, student testing number, and other pertinent data to the state attendance officer. The state attendance officer, using all available state data and any other means available, shall attempt to locate the student and report the student’s location and school enrollment status to the principal so that the principal can appropriately send student records to the new school or otherwise document the student’s status.

     (b) The department shall conduct a review of each school’s graduation cohort on a schedule determined by the department.

     (c) If a school cannot provide written proof that a student should be included in clauses (A) through (K) of STEP THREE of section 10(a) of this chapter, the student is considered a dropout.

As added by P.L.242-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.229-2007, SEC.8; P.L.251-2017, SEC.5; P.L.159-2019, SEC.16; P.L.86-2020, SEC.2; P.L.125-2020, SEC.2.