Oregon Code § 417.859·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Statewide youth reengagement system; rules.
(1) As used in this section, eligible youth means a
person 14 through 24 years of age who:
(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 perfor