(a) Is at least 14 years of age but younger than 21 years of age at the beginning of the school year; and

(b)(A) Is a school dropout, as defined in ORS 339.505;

(B) Is not exempt from attending public full-time schools under ORS 339.030; or

(C) Is recommended to participate in a youth reengagement program by the Department of Human Services, a juvenile court, the Oregon Youth Authority or any other entity identified by the Youth Development Council by rule.

(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 with an education service district, a community college district or another public entity or with 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 1978 (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 with post-secondary institutions of education and community-based organizations that have previously offered youth reengagement programs, providers of online courses and programs and 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]

Note: 417.859 becomes operative July 1, 2020. See section 35, chapter 122, Oregon Laws 2019.