Sec. 2.2. (a) As used in this section, "eligible student" means a student in grade 11 or 12 who has:

(1) failed the graduation exam (before July 1, 2022) or is not on track to complete a postsecondary readiness competency;

(2) been determined to be chronically absent, by missing ten percent (10%) or more of a school year for any reason;

(3) been determined to be a habitual truant, as identified under IC 20-33-2-11;

(4) been significantly behind in credits for graduation, as identified by an individual's school principal;

(5) previously undergone at least a second suspension from school for the school year under IC 20-33-8-14 or IC 20-33-8-15;

(6) previously undergone an expulsion from school under IC 20-33-8-14, IC 20-33-8-15, or IC 20-33-8-16; or

(7) been determined by the individual's principal and the individual's parent or guardian to benefit by participating in the school flex program.

(b) An eligible student who participates in a school flex program must:

(1) attend school for at least three (3) hours of instructional time per school day;

(2) pursue a timely graduation;

(3) provide evidence of college or technical career education enrollment and attendance or proof of employment and labor that is aligned with the student's career academic sequence under rules established by the Indiana bureau of child labor;

(4) not be suspended or expelled while participating in a school flex program;

(5) pursue course and credit requirements for an Indiana diploma with a general designation; and

(6) maintain a ninety-five percent (95%) attendance rate.

(c) A school may allow an eligible student in grade 11 or 12 to complete an instructional day that consists of three (3) hours of instructional time if the student participates in the school flex program.

As added by P.L.242-2005, SEC.16. Amended by P.L.246-2013, SEC.7; P.L.233-2015, SEC.222; P.L.242-2017, SEC.22; P.L.192-2018, SEC.14.