ORS 327.390: Grants; advisory committee; role of Oregon State University Extension Service.

(1) The Oregon State University Extension Service shall assist school districts and education service districts in providing outdoor school programs. The Oregon State University Extension Service shall provide assistance by administering a grant program, providing program leadership and providing program maintenance. (2) Grants shall be awarded for outdoor school programs that: (a) Provide a six-day, residential, hands-on educational experience, or an equivalent outdoor educational experience that reflects local community needs and contexts, featuring field study opportunities for students learning about: (A) Soil, water, plants and animals; (B) The role of timber, agriculture and other natural resources in the economy of this state; (C) The interrelationship of nature, natural resources, economic development and career opportunities in this state; and (D) The importance of this state’s environment and natural resources. (b) Are integrated with local school curricula in a manner that assists students in meeting state standards related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and international standards related to science. (c) Provide students with opportunities to develop leadership, critical thinking and decision-making skills. (d) Address the inequity of outdoor educational opportunities for underserved children in this state. (e) Provide students with opportunities to learn about the interdependence of urban and rural areas. (3) Grants shall be awarded to a school district or to an education service district. (4) Priority for grants shall be given to outdoor school programs that promote: (a) Higher scores on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. (b) Greater self-sufficiency and leadership skills. (c) Fewer discipline and classroom management problems. (d) Increased student engagement and pride in accomplishments. (e) Greater proficiency in solving problems and thinking strategically. (f) Better application of systems thinking and increased ability to think creatively. (g) Improved communication skills and enhanced ability to work in group settings. (h) Greater enthusiasm for language arts, math, science and social studies. (i) Increased knowledge and understanding of science content, concepts and processes. (j) Better ability to apply science and civic processes to real-world situations. (k) Improved understanding of mathematical concepts and mastery of math skills. (L) Improved language arts skills. (m) Better comprehension of social studies content. (n) Accessibility to students of all abilities and learning styles. (5)(a) The Director of the Oregon State University Extension Service shall convene an advisory committee for the purpose of administering the grant program established under this section. When selecting the members of the committee, the director shall take into consideration geographic and demographic diversity and shall ensure that the committee has representatives of the environmental community, the natural resources community and fifth-grade or sixth-grade education. (b) The advisory committee shall recommend to the director: (A) Standards for outdoor school programs; and (B) Distributions of moneys for outdoor school programs. (6) The Oregon State University Extension Service shall provide program leadership of outdoor school programs, including: (a) Providing program management and administration, including: (A) Developing and reviewing outdoor school program curricula; (B) Designing outdoor school program lessons that are available on websites and mobile devices; (C) Developing outdoor school program learning modules and materials; (D) Implementing the outdoor school program; (E) Developing best practices for providing outdoor school programs; and (F) Providing staff training related to outdoor school programs; (b) Convening an advisory committee to assist with management activities; (c) Distributing grants and entering into contracts and other agreements related to financing; (d) Providing procurement services; (e) Complying with reporting requirements; and (f) Ensuring compliance with program requirements. (7)(a) The Oregon State University Extension Service shall provide program maintenance, including: (A) Conducting program reviews and implementing program revisions; (B) Making quality assessments and monitoring the program for quality; (C) Evaluating outputs and impacts of outdoor school programs; (D) Engaging in camp development, including the selection, management and coordination of camps; and (E) Conducting risk management. (b) The Oregon State University Extension Service shall collaborate with the Department of Education to identify and collect student data that is relevant for the purpose of program maintenance, as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. (8) Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing on the Oregon State University Extension Service any duties or obligations unless funding is provided to the service for expenses incurred by the service for the purposes of this section. (9) The director shall submit an annual report to: (a) The Department of Education, related to the ability of outdoor school programs to assist students in meeting state standards related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and international standards related to science; and (b) The interim legislative committees on education, related to grant programs. [2015 c.782 §2; 2023 c.526 §1] (Temporary provisions relating to a pilot program for foster child students) 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] COMMON SCHOOL FUND