Section 49-1-220 - Study of best practices - Study requirements - Resources to be used for study - Study report deadline(a) The department of education shall conduct a study of best practices in other states for the use of ninth grade "on-track" indicators in state accountability systems to prevent students from dropping out of high school.(b) The study must include, but is not limited to, research into how states:(1) Define "on-track" high school success;(2) Develop specific indicators to identify students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, including, but not limited to:(A) Credit accumulation and course completion in the ninth grade;(C) Failure of English language arts or mathematics courses;(D) Scoring below proficient on statewide assessments administered in English language arts or mathematics; and(E) Student suspensions and expulsions;(3) Develop and use statewide dropout early warning systems in the middle school and high school grades;(4) Utilize methods to publicly report relevant data regarding "on-track" high school success indicators and outcomes, including, but not limited to: (A) State report card systems;(B) Published reports; and(C) Disaggregation by student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students, rural students, racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and English learners;(5) Set goals and monitor how many students remain "on track" in ninth grade in alignment with statewide graduation goals; and(6) Provide supports and guidance to schools and districts to improve and increase the number of ninth grade students who are "on track."(c) The department shall conduct the study required in this section within the existing resources of the department.(d) The department shall, no later than January 31, 2024, submit a report of the outcomes of the study required in this section to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives, and shall publish the report on the department's website.Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 322, s 1, eff. 4/28/2023.