(1) As used in this section, ‘eligible youth’ means a person 14 through 24 years of age who:

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(a) Is not currently enrolled in school for the school year and who:

(A) Is not a high school graduate; or

(B) Has not received a certificate for passing an approved high school equivalency test such as the General Educational Development (GED) test;

(b) Is recommended to participate in a youth reengagement program by the Department of Human Services, the Housing and Community Services Department, a juvenile court, the Oregon Youth Authority, a county juvenile department, a federally recognized Indian tribe, a school district, an education service district or any other entity identified by the Youth Development Council by rule; or

(c) Is not on track to graduate on time, as determined based on rules adopted by the council.

(2) The Youth Development Division shall develop and administer a statewide youth reengagement system to provide appropriate educational opportunities and access to services for eligible youths.

(3) Under the statewide youth reengagement system, a school district or other entity identified by the Youth Development Council by rule may choose to provide a youth reengagement program. A youth reengagement program must:

(a) Be offered in collaboration with the Youth Development Division; and

(b) Include a partnership with an education service district, a community college district, a federally recognized Indian tribe, a community-based organization or any other entity identified by the Youth Development Council by rule.

(4) A youth reengagement program must offer, at a minimum, the following:

(a) Academic instruction that enables an eligible youth to receive credit that can be:

(A) Applied toward a high school diploma, a modified diploma or an extended diploma; or

(B) Used to improve college or career readiness, including courses that assist the eligible youth in preparing for an approved high school equivalency test such as the General Educational Development (GED) test; or

(b) Services for monitoring and supporting eligible youths, including:

(A) Academic counseling, career coaching and workforce readiness services; or

(B) Assistance with accessing services and resources that support at-risk youth and reduce barriers to educational success.

(5) If a school district or other entity chooses to provide a youth reengagement program, the school district or other entity may enter into an agreement to provide academic instruction or services as described in subsection (4) of this section. The agreement:

(a) May be entered into with:

(A) An education service district, a community college district or another public entity;

(B) A federally recognized Indian tribe or a school or other provider of educational services associated with the tribe; or

(C) A community-based organization; and

(b) Must comply with any other requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education or the Youth Development Council by rule.

(6)(a) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Youth Development Council, shall establish by rule criteria for a school district or other entity to receive funding for eligible youths participating in a youth reengagement program. Funding may be in the form of grants.

(b) The criteria to receive funding may prescribe:

(A) Enrollment and attendance standards for eligible youths.

(B) Performance measures that establish targets that must be met for purposes of accountability. The performance measure targets shall be based on standards adopted by the Youth Development Council and may take into account the specific purpose of the program offered by the school district or other entity, the population served by the program and any other factors identified by the council.

(c) The criteria to receive funding must require a school district or other entity to provide to the Youth Development Division information that, at a minimum, describes:

(A) How the school district or other entity will identify, refer and enroll eligible youths;

(B) How academic instruction and services will be provided through the youth reengagement program and what academic instruction and services will be provided;

(C) How student records will be maintained and how data will be collected and reported;

(D) How any applicable assessments under ORS § 329.485 or 329.488 will be administered;

(E) How the school district or other entity will provide special education and related services for eligible youths with disabilities who have an individualized education program or will provide necessary accommodations and plans for eligible youths who qualify under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794);

(F) How the school district or other entity will ensure that eligible youths receive appropriate in-person guidance or support; and

(G) How the school district or other entity will record and report performance measures for purposes of accountability, including longitudinal monitoring of student progress and post-secondary education and employment readiness.

(7) The Department of Education and Youth Development Division shall provide technical assistance to school districts and other eligible entities choosing to provide youth reengagement programs.

(8)(a) The Youth Development Council shall coordinate with the State Board of Education to adopt rules under this section.

(b) When adopting rules under this section, the board and the council shall consult or communicate with:

(A) Post-secondary institutions of education, school districts and community-based organizations that have previously offered youth reengagement programs;

(B) Providers of online courses and programs;

(C) Federally recognized Indian tribes; and

(D) Education service districts.

(9) Nothing in this section affects the authority of a school district or other entity to directly offer youth reengagement programs or other educational services for eligible youths. [2019 c.122 § 33; 2021 c.87 § 1; 2021 c.97 § 42]

MISCELLANEOUS