Statewide Outdoor School Program
History of Oregon’s Outdoor School Law
On November 8, 2016, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 99, authorizing funds from the state lottery to provide all fifth- or sixth-grade students in Oregon access to a week of Outdoor School. Measure 99 provided the funding for the Outdoor School law, which was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2015.
Every Oregon student in fifth OR sixth grade, including home schooled and charter school students, will have the opportunity to attend a weeklong Outdoor School program, or an equivalent outdoor education experience that reflects local community needs, provided their school district or education service district (ESD) applies to receive funding for an eligible Outdoor School program.
This is a voluntary program; all school districts and education service districts (ESDs) will have the opportunity to access the funds, but are not required to participate. Oregon State University Extension Service is the funding administrator, and is overseeing the creation of the funding program, managing allocations, and supporting schools in preparing and implementing Outdoor School programs.
Per the law, the state made funds available to OSU Extension Service in July 2017. Funds for the fall 2017 semester have been distributed to the school districts and ESDs who have applied. If you are a district or ESD and have NOT been notified about how to apply for funding, or have other questions, please email the statewide Outdoor School program.
OSU Extension Outdoor School Annual & Biennial Reports
Outdoor School for All! Diverse Programming and Outcomes in Oregon is a project of the Oregon Environmental Literacy Program, which began in 2014 and is supported by the Gray Family Foundation. The intent of this project is to build understanding and knowledge about current outdoor school programming and its intended outcomes. The common measurement system is based on legislative requirements, a wide variety of data sources, an existing literature/ knowledge base and substantial input from stakeholders. The data gathered will support elements of the statewide program. These include:
Legislative reporting requirements (OR-SB 439)
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Professional development and learning
Community engagement and outreach
Program and curriculum development
The common measurement system was piloted with six outdoor schools of differing length, programming and size — 82 teachers and 680 students participated during the 2017/8 school year. Initial results show significant positive gains and strong influence on many educational outcomes. Click here to learn more!
Independent Schools Update
March 2022
As you know, when we campaigned for state funding for Outdoor School, we intended for that funding to support all of Oregon’s diverse students. Despite our advocacy efforts, some students have remained ineligible for state funding, particularly students attending independent schools. In partnership with OSU Extension Service Outdoor School and Multnomah ESD Outdoor School, we may have found a solution to the promise of Outdoor School for ALL!
In the coming months, Multnomah ESD is expected to pilot a program to provide access to Outdoor School for these previously excluded students. This is especially exciting given that, at its best, Outdoor School is a place where every child can meet and learn with children different from themselves, a place where every child can belong. We will share more with you about this pilot program as it progresses.