Lawmakers support academic success for Oregon foster youth

Since the Oregon Department of Education began tracking the four-year graduation rates for students in foster care in 2016-17, the graduation rate has never increased over 50%. In 2022-23, the graduation rate for foster youth was 46.9%, far below the statewide graduation rate for all students of 86.3%.

Oregon lawmakers hope to combat the inequities faced by many foster youth through a new pilot program passed on Thursday, March 7 by the Oregon Legislature.

The pilot program will provide academic support and “improve the educational outcomes of foster child students” in middle and high school. The bill directs school districts to apply for grants from the statewide education initiatives account to fund pilot programs at the district level. The statewide education initiatives account is close to 30% of the state success fund, or $557.4 million.

“Students in foster care face complex, systemic challenges that can keep them from succeeding in school. Our education system does not do enough to support these foster youth, and this bill is the first step to changing that reality in Oregon,” said Rep. Susan McLain, D-Forest Grove, the chief sponsor of the bill in a press release.