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DATE: May 4, 2020
RE: Student Success Act (SSA) Summer Program Notice of Postponement
This letter replaces the information provided in the grant award notification letter dated February 11, 2020.
Dear Superintendents and Principals,
Thank you for your interest and efforts related to the Student Success Act (SSA) Summer Programs for Title I-A schools. Due to the potential statewide budget implications of COVID-19, ODE is moving the implementation of the SSA Summer Programs from the summer of 2020 to the summer of 2021.
There are two primary reasons for this decision:
- Oregon is likely to experience a General Fund deficit of $2-3 billion this biennium. At this time, impacts to the revenue source for Student Success Act are not known. The state revenue forecast will provide some information in late May. Following the revenue forecast, Governor Brown (and possibly the Oregon Legislature) will take steps to prioritize budget reductions across all state programs. The timing of this process does not allow for adequate planning, staffing processes or student invitations for summer school in 2020.
- State law, ORS341, requires 60 hours of Direct Academic Instruction and it remains unclear if schools will be able to meet this requirement under Distance Learning for All or whether schools in some counties may be phasing in to limited in-person, small group instruction.
Previous to the COVID-19 outbreak and mitigation efforts, ODE had made special budget adjustments to enable SSA Summer Programs for Title I-A schools to start this summer. Due to this adjustment being based on projected revenue estimates, the department now believes the most prudent course forward is to begin SSA Summer programs starting in 2021.
Thank you for all your efforts and commitment in planning for SSA Summer Programs. We recognize all the work that has taken place to this point in creating quality summer programming in a very short time-line. We hope this postponement will allow schools more time to develop plans, fine tune structures and create more robust programs going forward.
How does this affect eligibility?
At present the plan is to maintain eligibility of current selected schools. This postponement would simply delay implementation for one summer. Districts and schools should continue to plan for two summers of programming for the summer of 2021 and 2022. To finalize this plan, the State Board of Education may need to enact temporary rules in May or June 2020. We will keep you informed on this rulemaking process, as needed.
ODE staff will host a Q & A session on May 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM for any of your remaining questions about the postponement. Further details regarding the webinar will be sent via email and posted on the Summer Programs webpage.
This announcement is focused only on the SSA Summer Programs for Title I-A schools. ODE continues to work with the Office of Economic Analysis, the Governor’s Office, and the Legislature to understand potential impacts to any other SSA programs.
Thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of Oregon’s students, families and communities and upholding our shared commitment to equity and excellence for every learner.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Holly Tucker at holly.tucker@state.or.us or 503-378-6807, or Raquel Gwynn at raquel.gwynn@state.or.us or 503-947-5785.
Sincerely,
Candace Pelt, Ed.D Assistant Superintendent
Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities
(503) 947-5702
Candace.Pelt@state.or.us
If you would like a copy of this letter mailed to you, please email Holly Tucker. We will send your letter when staff are able to return to the office.
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