OREGON

Oregon law states that alternative education programs are for any students who need an alternative setting to meet their educational needs and interests. These could include students who are not meeting academic standards as well as those who are exceeding standards; students with an erratic attendance pattern; pregnant or parenting students; and those who are expelled, considered for expulsion, or have severe disciplinary problems.

The Board of Education defines the activities for which students may receive academic credit, establishes the process for registering private alternative programs, and establishes standards for private alternative programs to ensure a safe educational environment and an instructional program that allows students to make progress toward achieving state academic standards.

Oregon is a model for how a state can support public-private partnerships in funding alternative education. The state requires a high percentage of per-pupil dollars to follow students to third-party providers with which the district contracts.