The Oregon Department of Education calculated preliminary Student Investment Account allocations based on 2018-19 State School Fund student data. The final amounts, based on 2019-20 data, will be available by June. The grants will be distributed to districts on a quarterly basis.
The estimated grant amounts are in line with earlier expectations, according to OSBA Executive Director Jim Green.
ODE used an estimate of $472 million available for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The preliminary grant divisions do not account for eligible charter schools that plan to apply for funds independently.
Grant amounts are based on student enrollment with a double weight for students in poverty. The act will provide $664 per schools’ weighted student enrollment, with a minimum grant of a little over $33,000.
The noncompetitive grants must be dedicated to meeting students’ mental or behavioral health needs and improving academic outcomes and reducing academic disparities for historically underserved students. The act also will provide money for early learning and statewide education initiatives through separate accounts.