(a) "Graduate" means an individual who has:

(A) Not reached 21 years of age or whose 21st birthday occurs during the current school year;

(B) Met all state requirements and local requirements for attendance, competence and units of credit for high school; and

(C) Received one of the following:

(i) A high school diploma issued by a school district or a public charter school.

(ii) A high school diploma issued by an authorized community college.

(iii) A modified diploma issued by a school district or a public charter school.

(iv) An extended diploma issued by a school district or a public charter school.

(v) An alternative certificate issued by a school district or a public charter school.

(b) "School dropout" means an individual who:

(A) Has enrolled for the current school year, or was enrolled in the previous school year and did not attend during the current school year;

(B) Is not a high school graduate;

(C) Has not received a certificate for passing an approved high school equivalency test such as the General Educational Development (GED) test; and

(D) Has withdrawn from school.

(c) "School dropout" does not include a student described by at least one of the following:

(A) A student who has transferred to another educational system or institution that leads to graduation and the school district has received a written request for the transfer of the student’s records or transcripts.

(B) A student who is deceased.

(C) A student who is participating in home instruction paid for by the district.

(D) A student who is being taught by a private teacher, parent or legal guardian pursuant to ORS 339.030 (1)(d) or (e).

(E) A student who is participating in a Department of Education approved public or private education program, an alternative education program as defined in ORS 336.615 or a hospital education program, or is residing in a Department of Human Services or an Oregon Health Authority facility.

(F) A student who is temporarily residing in a shelter care program certified by the Oregon Youth Authority or in a juvenile detention facility.

(G) A student who is enrolled in a foreign exchange program.

(H) A student who is temporarily absent from school because of suspension, a family emergency, or severe health or medical problems that prohibit the student from attending school.

(I) A student who has received a certificate for passing an approved high school equivalency test such as the General Educational Development (GED) test.

(2) The State Board of Education shall prescribe by rule when an unexplained absence becomes withdrawal, when a student is considered enrolled in school, acceptable alternative education programs under ORS 336.615 to 336.665 and the standards for excused absences for purposes of ORS 339.065 for family emergencies and health and medical problems. [1991 c.805 §4; 1993 c.676 §51; 1997 c.89 §1; 1997 c.249 §100; 1999 c.59 §87; 1999 c.717 §5; 2001 c.490 §9; 2003 c.14 §151; 2005 c.22 §234; 2007 c.407 §4; 2007 c.660 §19; 2007 c.858 §35; 2009 c.595 §213; 2009 c.618 §6; 2017 c.66 §16]