State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

POLICY ACTIONSGaining skills and expertise for employment is critical to thefinancial health of youth of color. Investment in these programsis essential to the success of Black families.POLICY PRIORITIES:661Better prepare Black youth for theworkforce by:• Increasing opportunities for summerand internship programs for Blackyouth through public/privatepartnerships• Expanding the definition of“success” to include high schoolcompletion via the GED (high schoolequivalency exam) and participationin concurrent GED/communitycollege programs• Requiring school districts to offereducation to students throughage 21 and expanding the “middlecollege” model• Implementing and expanding STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics) programs forBlack students• Providing direct funding to culturallyspecific nonprofits for youthdevelopment, career readiness,mental health, social supports,mentoring and teacher professionaldevelopment• Making career pathway, advancedtraining or post-secondary educationopportunities accessible for everyBlack student2345• Taking advantage of Oregon’sprovision that lets school districtsaward high school credit for learningopportunities outside the classroom• Ensuring pipeline programming forthe trades and related fieldsTie WorkSource Oregon investmentsto culturally specific post-secondaryeducation and vocational trainingprograms.Explore models that include communitycolleges serving incarcerated youth.Lower the cost of higher education byexploring ideas like:• Free or subsidized communitycollege• Continuation of successful programsthat support students, includingPortland Community College’sFuture Connect Scholarship ProgramImprove financial literacy amongBlack youth by supporting successfulprograms like Children’s SavingsAccounts that provide the ability togenerate savings and wealth.