State Senate Republicans joined forces with Democrats in the Senate Education and Workforce Committee last week when the five-member bipartisan committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 300, which allows some high school students to enroll in post-secondary courses for credit at colleges and universities.
Legislators indicated that they hope to streamline the transition from high school to college and reduce dropout rates, especially for disadvantaged students, with the “Expanded Options Program.”
Sen. Charles Starr, R-Hillsboro, Education and Workforce Committee vice chair, said the bill would act as a complement to what many districts are already doing and will provide accelerated opportunities for at-risk students.
“We all agree that those disadvantaged students really need all kinds of encouragement to get them involved in their own education and get them into higher ed when they’re not likely to be able to pay for it,” Starr said. “It’s a hand-up instead of a hand-down, and that’s good.”
Sen. Avel Gordly, D-Portland, sponsored
the bill.
“The value of this idea is that it gets more and more kids hooked on college,” Gordly said in a press release. “Once they see that they can succeed at the college level, their confidence will improve and their interest in continuing their education will grow.”
The bill will now be forwarded to the Joint Ways and Means Committee, which writes the state budget.
Starr described the Ways and Means Committee as a “graveyard for good ideas,” but Gordly said she believes the program is in line with the legislature’s priorities.
“The Ways and Means Committee’s charge is to prioritize all programs based on outcomes, and since one of our top priorities is reducing the dropout rate, we believe this program meets that standard,” Gordly said.
Starr said he hopes to encourage people who receive assistance from the state to support themselves and make a real contribution to society.
“We do have a heart, and we’re truly concerned that these people are disadvantaged because of the circumstances under which they were born, not because of who they are,” Starr said.
According to the press release, state grants to school districts would subsidize costs for the courses rather than charging students the standard course fees. Students attending public schools in grades 11 or 12 who are at least 16 years old would be eligible for the program.
University spokeswoman Pauline Austin said the University would continue its Ducklink program regardless of the legislation’s outcome. According to the Office of Admissions, the existing program allows eligible Lane County high school students who have exhausted the course options in their public school to take University courses. The University waives instruction fees for those students.
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Senate bill grants aid for at-risk students
Daily Emerald
April 17, 2005
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