A total of 92 school districts were awarded funds in 1996 under the Statewide Program. As part of the state's five-year plan to implement alternative education across the state, this program awards funds based on the number of dropouts and juvenile justice contacts in each district. Districts have been prioritized by the State Department of Education, and by 2000-2001 all Oklahoma districts should receive alternative education funding. The programs, which began serving students in January, 1997, include free-standing alternative schools, cooperatives, alternative classrooms, and a wide range of preventive programs. As of the 20001-2002 school year, the number of Statewide alternative programs has grown to over 300.