2025 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 09 - Education and Culture
Chapter 327 - State Financing of Early Learning and Elementary and Secondary Education
Section Sec. 1 - Pilot program for foster child students; rules
(1) As used in this section, "foster child student" means a student enrolled in middle school or high school who is a foster child because the student is:
(a) In the care and custody of the Department of Human Services pursuant to the provisions of ORS chapter 418 or 419B and is placed in substitute care; or
(b) A ward, as defined in ORS 419A.004, who remains in the legal custody of the ward’s parent or who is in the care and custody of the Department of Human Services but who is residing with the ward’s parent.
(2)(a) The Department of Education shall establish and administer a pilot program to provide support for foster child students to improve the educational outcomes of foster child students.
(b) Under the pilot program, the Department of Education shall provide grants to school districts for distribution to any of the middle schools or high schools of the school district to improve the educational outcomes of foster child students by addressing:
(A) The disparities experienced by foster child students in indicators of academic success;
(B) The historical practices leading to disproportionate outcomes for foster child students; and
(C) The educational needs of foster child students.
(c) School districts participating in the pilot program must ensure that foster child students are provided access to an individual who will:
(A) Serve as an educational advocate for a foster child student; and
(B) Provide guidance for and support to a foster child student for educational purposes.
(3) The Department of Education shall use moneys in the Statewide Education Initiatives Account to provide funding for the pilot program. The pilot program shall be considered a statewide education plan for purposes of ORS 327.254.
(4) The Department of Education shall select three school districts to participate in the pilot program. The school districts shall distribute moneys received under this section to any of the middle schools or high schools of the school district for the purpose of the pilot program. The department shall focus on geographically diverse regions when selecting school districts to participate in the pilot program.
(5) The Department of Education shall submit reports concerning the pilot program to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education as follows:
(a) The first report must be submitted no later than September 15, 2025, and must summarize progress on the development and administration of the pilot program.
(b) The second report must be submitted no later than September 15, 2027, and:
(A) Must provide a summary of the pilot program, including any changes in the educational outcomes of foster child students who participated in the pilot program; and
(B) May provide recommendations for a statewide education plan related to foster child students.
(6) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of this section. [2024 c.33 §1; 2025 c.212 §1]
Sec. 3. Section 1, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2024, as amended by section 1 of this 2025 Act, is repealed on January 2, 2028. [2024 c.33 §3; 2025 c.212 §3]
