(a) Educational Alternative Programs.

• (1) Educational alternative programs are programs that differ from traditional educational programs and schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy, curriculum, or setting. These programs also employ alternative teaching methodologies, curricula, learning activities or diagnostic and assessment procedures in order to meet the needs, interests, abilities, and talents of eligible students. Student participation in such programs must be voluntary. The minimum period of time during which the student participates in the program must be equivalent to three instructional periods per day of traditional school, unless the program utilizes a resource or tutorial model rather than regularly scheduled courses.
• (2) The student will be identified as being a potential retention or dropout candidate based upon one of the following criteria:
• (A) The student has shown a lack of motivation in school through grades which are not commensurate with documented ability levels;
• (B) The student has a high rate of absenteeism;
• (C) The student appears to have a drug or substance abuse problem;
• (D) The student has been unsuccessful in school as determined by retention, failing grades, or low achievement test scores, and has needs and interests that cannot be met through government conducted educational programs or special education programs; or
• (E) The student has been identified as a potential retention or school dropout candidate by school or student services personnel.

(a) Each district may establish one or more alternative programs for dropout prevention at the elementary, junior high school or high school level.