Measure 98 dropout-prevention funds cut in half

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon high school students may get $170 million over the next two school years to spend on career-technical education, college-prep and other programs designed to help pull graduation rates from the nation’s bottom ranks.

That’s a 42 percent cut in funding to Measure 98 that voters approved in November and is among several programs and services being cut this week as lawmakers wrap up the 2017 session.

The $170 million allocation to Measure 98 moved out of committee Monday and now heads for a vote in the Senate.

Another proposal, House Bill 2246, allows students in the Oregon School for the Deaf and youth in juvenile corrections and detentions facilities to benefit from Measure 98 programs. It’s up this week for a vote in the House.