(a) Advance the educational goals of this state, as described in ORS 350.014;

(b) Improve the employability of graduates from Oregon public schools;

(c) Close the achievement gap that exists between historically underserved student groups, as defined by the board by rule;

(d) Assist public education in all regions of this state;

(e) Promote collaboration and alignment among early childhood service providers, school districts, community colleges, public universities and employers;

(f) Leverage private, public and community resources;

(g) Engage parents and child care providers, support families and motivate students;

(h) Develop and disseminate evidence-based models and best practices that are likely to improve student outcomes;

(i) Collect data to monitor student progress; and

(j) Establish networks that allow for the replication of successful practices across this state.

(2) The Department of Education shall distribute any moneys received for strategic investments under this section. Distributions may be made to school districts, education service districts, post-secondary institutions of education, nonprofit organizations, providers of early childhood services, tribes of this state and other entities. Distributions of moneys must advance the purposes set forth in ORS 327.810, 327.815 and 327.820 or other purposes that meet the goals specified in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Any recipient of moneys distributed as a strategic investment must provide separate accounting for the moneys and may use the moneys only for the purpose for which the moneys are provided.

(4)(a) The State Board of Education shall establish requirements for the programs implemented under this section that are consistent with this section and with ORS 327.810, 327.815 and 327.820.

(b) The board shall develop timelines, performance measures and other requirements related to the accumulation and evaluation of data collected in relation to a program that receives moneys as a strategic investment. The performance measures shall include progress toward the goals established in ORS 350.014 and other key student education outcomes established by the board.

(5) The State Board of Education and the Early Learning Council may adopt any rules necessary for the agencies they oversee to perform any of the duties assigned to them under this section. Any rules adopted by the Early Learning Council must be consistent with this section and actions taken by the State Board of Education to implement this section. [2013 c.660 §1; 2013 c.660 §5; 2015 c.774 §§17,67,67a]

Note: 327.800 to 327.820 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 327 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.