(a) Upon request of a school district, the state board shall assist in the development of a grade appropriate curriculum for character development programs which may be offered to students in the school district. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the state board to develop a new curriculum or a new character development program.

(b) As used in this section:

• (1) “Character development program” means a program which is secular in nature and which stresses character qualities.

• (2) “Character qualities” means positive character qualities which include, but is not limited to, honesty, responsibility, attentiveness, patience, kindness, respect, self-control, tolerance, cooperation, initiative, patriotism and citizenship

• (3) “State board” means the state board of education.

(a) There is hereby established in every school district an at-risk education fund, which shall consist of all moneys deposited therein or transferred thereto according to law. The expenses of a school district directly attributable to providing at-risk student assistance or programs shall be paid from the at-risk education fund.

(b) Any balance remaining in the at-risk education fund at the end of the budget year shall be carried forward into the at-risk education fund for succeeding budget years. Such fund shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 79-2925 through 79-2937, and amendments thereto. In preparing the budget of such school district, the amounts credited to and the amount on hand in the at-risk education fund, and the amount expended therefrom shall be included in the annual budget for the information of the residents of the school district. Interest earned on the investment of moneys in any such fund shall be credited to that fund.

(c) Commencing in school year 2018-2019, expenditures from the at-risk education fund of a school district shall only be made for the following purposes:

(1) At-risk educational programs based on best practices identified pursuant to subsection (d);

(2) personnel providing educational services in conjunction with such programs; or

(3) services contracted for by the school district to provide at-risk educational programs based on best practices identified pursuant to subsection (d).

(d)(1) The state board shall identify and approve evidence-based best practices for at-risk programs and instruction of students receiving at-risk program services. On and after July 1, 2019, such best practices shall include, but not be limited to, programs and services provided by state-based national nonprofit organizations that:

(A) Focus on students who are identified as students eligible to receive at-risk program services or who face other identifiable barriers to success;

(B) provide evidence-based instruction and support services to such students inside and outside the school setting; and

(C) evaluate outcomes data for students, including, but not limited to, school attendance, academic progress, graduation rates, pursuit of postsecondary education or career advancement.

(2) The state board shall review and update such best practices as necessary and as part of its five-year accreditation system review process.