ORS 329.885: School-to-work transitions and work experience programs; funding; eligibility for grants.

(1) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to encourage educational institutions and businesses to develop, in partnership, models for programs related to school-to-work transitions and work experience internships. (2) From funds available, the Department of Education may allocate to any education service district, school district, individual secondary school or community college grants to develop programs such as those described in subsection (1) of this section. (3) To receive a grant to operate a program described in subsection (1) of this section, a business shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the program shall: (a) Identify groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the programs and internships, particularly in health care, business and high technology employment positions. (b) Encourage students who belong to groups identified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, particularly students in secondary schools and community colleges, to apply for consideration and acceptance into a model program described in subsection (1) of this section. (c) Promote an awareness of career opportunities in the school-to-work transition and the work experience internships among students sufficiently early in their educational careers to permit and encourage students to apply for the model programs. (d) Promote cooperation among businesses, school districts and community colleges in working toward the goals of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. (e) Develop academic skills, attitudes and self-confidence necessary to allow students to succeed in the work environment, including attitudes of curiosity and perseverance and the feelings of positive self-worth that result from sustained effort. (f) Provide a variety of experiences that reinforce the attitudes needed for success in the business world. (4) The department shall direct fund recipients to adopt rules establishing standards for approved programs under this section, including criteria for eligibility of organizations to receive grants, and standards to determine the amount of grants. (5) The department may seek and receive gifts, grants, endowments and other funds from public or private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the school-to-work transition and the work experience internship programs and may expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of such gifts, grants, endowments or other funds. [1993 c.765 §46; 1999 c.59 §82; 2001 c.104 §108; 2007 c.858 §27]