The Minnesota State Legislature finds that it is critical to provide options for children to succeed in school. Therefore, the purpose is to provide incentives for and encourage all Minnesota students who have experienced or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional education system to enroll in alternative program

A pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements, is eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program, if the pupil:

• Performs substantially below the performance level for pupils of the same age in a locally determined achievement test;

• Is behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation;(More than 6 credits behind)

• Is pregnant or is a parent;

• Has been assessed as chemically dependent;

• Has been excluded or expelled according to sections 121A.40 to 121A.56;

• Has been referred by a school district for enrollment in an eligible program or a program pursuant to section 124D.69;

• Is a victim of physical or sexual abuse;

• Has experienced mental health problems; (Diagnosis by a mental health professional)

• Has experienced homelessness sometime within six months before requesting a transfer to an eligible program;

• Speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency; or

• Has withdrawn from school or has been chronically truant; or

• Is being treated in a hospital in the seven-county metropolitan area for cancer or other life threatening illness or is the sibling of an eligible pupil who is being currently treated, and resides with the pupil's family at least 60 miles beyond the outside boundary of the seven-county metropolitan area.