Educational experiences that provide high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school are known in Oregon as “accelerated learning” programs. Accelerated Learning Programs aim to provide bridges that support and encourage a college-going culture and reduce gaps in college access and academic achievement. They can smooth the transition into a college or university by enabling high school students to successfully earn college credit and to be better prepared for postsecondary expectations.
REL- Education Northwest Research (2018) states that students who participate in accelerated learning during high school are 30% more likely to graduate from high school, 25% more likely to enroll in college and 22% more likely to persist in college.
Rulemaking for Oregon Revised Statute 340
Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 340 is the law that governs the ways Oregon students earn college credit while in high school, which are sometimes called Accelerated Learning. All students should have access to a variety of college-credit granting opportunities.
ORS 340 aims to expand program options available to all Oregon students, and to increase access to these programs for historically underserved students.
During the 2023 Legislative Session, Oregon Revised Statute 340 was revised (HB 2275) to eliminate redundancy and clarify expectations for college credit in the high school programs. No new requirements were added.
The rulemaking process requires ODE to draft rules for presentation to the State Board of Education for each of the three sections of ORS 340. More information can be found in the College Credit in the High School: Oregon Revised Statute 340 information document.
AP/IB