Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 327 § 327.342 — Summer

Summer Learning Grant program; uses and requirements of grants; administrative expenses; reports; rules. (1) The Department of Education shall establish and administer the Summer Learning Grant program. (2)(a) Under the grant program, the department shall award grants for summer learning programs that are provided to incoming kindergarten students through outgoing grade 12 students. (b) A summer learning program is eligible for a grant if the program focuses on improving a student’s reading proficiency by: (A) Prioritizing the improvement of student academic outcomes; (B) Incorporating evidence-based literacy instruction and interventions designed to support students who are reading below grade level; and (C) Using a variety of learning strategies that: (i) Align with academic content standards adopted under ORS 329.045; (ii) Are focused on evidence-based literacy, mathematics, science or language arts; and (iii) When appropriate, assist with credit recovery. (c) A summer learning program may include enrichment activities if the activities are designed to improve student academic outcomes and are combined with evidence-based interventions. (3) A summer learning program must be provided for a minimum of 80 total hours for each session of the program. Calculations made under this subsection may include hours provided by an entity with which a partnership has been entered into, as described in subsection (4)(c) of this section. (4)(a) Any school district, education service district, public charter school or federally recognized Indian tribe in this state, or any combination thereof, may apply to receive a grant under this section for a summer learning program. (b) The department shall award a grant to an applicant based on whether the applicant meets the requirements for the grant. An application for a grant must include: (A) A description of the summer learning program and how the program satisfies the requirements described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. (B) Documentation that the applicant has a plan for summer learning, which may include: (i) An early literacy success plan developed under ORS 327.831 to receive a grant under the Early Literacy Success School Grant program; or (ii) A plan developed under ORS 327.883 to receive a grant under the High School Graduation and College and Career Readiness Act. (C) An identification of the assessments that the applicant will provide at the beginning of the summer learning program and after the summer learning program. Assessments are subject to approval by the department and shall be used for the purpose of the report described in subsection (7)(e) of this section. (D) A description of the budget for how the grant will be used, including the budget of the applicant related to the provision of a summer learning program. (c)(A) An applicant for a grant may enter into a partnership with one or more entities as described in this paragraph to provide a summer learning program that is funded by a grant under this section. (B) Entities with which an applicant may enter into a partnership include a school district, an education service district, a public charter school, an institution of higher education, a unit of local government as defined in ORS 190.003, a local service district as defined in ORS 174.116, a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state, a community-based organization or a nonprofit entity. (C) An applicant may enter into a partnership with an entity identified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the entity has demonstrated an ability to assist in literacy instruction and activities or academic enrichment, as determined by the applicant. (D) If an applicant applies for a grant based on a plan that includes a partnership with an entity identified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the applicant must provide with the application a written letter of support from the entity. The letter must include a description of services to be provided by the entity and the budget of the entity for the provision of those services. (5)(a) When awarding grants, the department shall prioritize applicants that: (A) Submit a summer learning plan that uses research-aligned literacy strategies, as defined in ORS 327.825. (B) Have the lowest rates of reading proficiency, as determined based on criteria provided by the department. (C) Have focused interventions that target students who have demonstrated academic needs, including students whose level of proficiency is not at grade level. (b) The department shall establish the process and timelines for awarding a grant under this section. The process must be communicated on the department’s website and be easily accessible by applicants. (6)(a) Grants awarded under this section may be used for all expenses related to: (A) Providing personnel and staffing for a summer learning program, including professional development. (B) Providing sum