Overview of Measure 98
The History of High School Success
High School Success is a fund initiated by ballot Measure 98 in November 2016. The measure passed with 65% voter support, and allowed the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to disperse $170 million total during the 2017-19 biennium among districts and charter schools that serve students in grade 9 through grade 12.
During the first year of implementation (2017-2018), 255 school districts and charter schools throughout the state of Oregon received the first allocation from the High School Success fund.
During the second biennium (2019-2021), 252 school districts, charters, YCEPs, and JDEPs throughout the state of Oregon benefit from funds through the creation of 230 High School Success plans.
How are the funds spent?
Funding is provided to establish or expand programs in three specific areas:
- Dropout Prevention
- Career & Technical Education
- College Level Education Opportunities
How does ODE evaluate the program?
According to the measure, the intent of High School Success is to:
- Improve student progress toward graduation beginning with grade 9
- Increase the graduation rates of high schools
- Improve high school graduates’ readiness for college and career
What eligibility requirements must be in place by the end of the 2020-2021 school year?
The eligibility requirements are:
- Teacher Collaboration Time around Data
- Practices to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
- Equitable Assignment to Advanced Courses
- Systems Ensuring On-time Graduation
- Partnerships
What is significant about these eligibility requirements?
Research suggests that having these structures in place will aid in increasing graduation rates, and ensuring high school graduates are ready for their next step. Furthermore, providing time for teachers to look at specific student data, and use that data to inform decisions, will increase the chances that a student has to be on-track to graduate in four years by the end of grade 9.
Again, these were established to meet the high expectations of the measure and all areas of eligibility must be fully in place by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
For more information on equity in Oregon's education system, please visit Oregon Department of Education's Equity and High School Success web page.
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