ORS 327.342: 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 summer learning, including curriculum, technology and other supplies. (C) Contracting with third parties to provide a summer learning program. (D) Providing facilities that will support and accommodate a summer learning program. (E) Providing student transportation for a summer learning program. (F) Providing nutritious snacks and meals to participants of a summer learning program when snacks or meals are not provided through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program or through a summer meals program that is part of a national lunch program. (b) Expenses for allowed uses identified in paragraph (a) of this subsection may include the administrative expenses of an entity with which a recipient of a grant has entered into a partnership as described in subsection (4)(c) of this section. (c) A recipient of a grant received under this section may use a percentage of the grant moneys for the administrative expenses of the recipient as follows: (A) Five percent of the grant amount, excluding any amounts used for student transportation, if the recipient has entered into a partnership with an entity as described in subsection (4)(c) of this section to administer the summer learning program in its entirety, with the exception of the provision of student transportation; or (B) Ten percent of the grant amount, excluding any amounts used for student transportation, for a recipient who has not entered into a partnership with an entity as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. (7) Recipients of a grant must provide to the department a report that includes: (a) The number and demographics of students served by the summer learning program; (b) Activities of the summer learning program, including the number of hours for each activity; (c) Information regarding staffing levels of the summer learning program and training provided to staff of the summer learning program; (d) A description of how activities of the summer learning program supported the requirements described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section; (e) An evaluation of the assessments provided at the beginning of the summer learning program and at the end of the summer learning program to identify changes in students’ academic outcomes and to determine the effectiveness of the program; (f) The identification of any successful activities or strategies and of any activities or strategies that may need to be modified; (g) The identification of the number of credits earned by participants of the summer learning program, if applicable; and (h) A budget report on how the grant moneys were used. (8) Each year, the department shall prepare reports that summarize the reports received from recipients of a grant under subsection (7) of this section. The department shall provide to the subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means related to education: (a) A preliminary report no later than January 15 of each year. (b) A final report no later than February 15 of each year. (9) Each biennium, the department shall review statewide student academic outcomes to determine which academic content areas to prioritize for summer learning programs for the upcoming biennium. (10) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of this section. [2024 c.6 §2; 2025 c.11 §1]