May 19, 2016 Oregon Department of Education

 Schools were using State School Funds to offer students eligible to graduate a 5 th year of high school.  Concerns: Is it appropriate to use K-12 funding for higher education after students have completed diploma requirements?  Claimed Benefits: Programs targeted students in need of additional support.

 Senator Gelser convened group of interested educators to help draft solution.  SB1537 passed during the 2016 Legislative Session  Purpose of legislation: ◦ To provide sideboards to current and/or new programs ◦ To collect data on programs (costs, students served, success of students) ◦ To recommend solution to legislature in 2018

 Bill defines the students eligible to participate in post graduate scholar programs  Bill defines what school districts must to do be eligible to offer post graduate scholar programs  Bill defines funding for post graduate scholars.  Outlines reporting obligations of ODE and HECC

 Has been in grades 9-12 for more than four school years and satisfied the requirements for a regular high school diploma  Is ineligible for an Oregon Promise grant  Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if eligible and is ineligible for a federal grant that is equal to or greater than the average cost of tuition and fees at a community college  Retains legal residence in the school district through which the PGS satisfied the diploma requirements

 Have written agreement with local community college  Have a school board approved program  Majority of the students in the district that are enrolled at the community college meet one of the criteria  Have a staff member dedicated to supporting the students in the program and meeting with each one at least twice each month

 Amount of money from State School Fund used for post-graduate scholar programs  Number of post-graduate scholars/year  Input from schools implementing post-graduate scholar programs  Input from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission Recommendations to legislature for equitable, sustainable, and appropriate permanent funding mechanism for Post Graduate Scholar Programs by November, 2018