Oregon Education Agency Responded to Audit Findings

The department addressed oversight concerns within its High School Success program following a recent state audit.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy and cream, depicting a stylized geometric schoolhouse, symbolizing administrative accountability in education policy. — The Oregon Department of Education has committed to enhanced oversight and formal internal audit policies for the state's High School Success program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Oregon Department of Education has released its official response to a Secretary of State audit regarding the High School Success program. The agency committed to new accountability measures after the audit identified a need for stronger oversight and documentation.

Why it matters

The audit emphasized that the state must improve its evaluation practices to ensure that funds from the 2016 voter-approved Measure 98 are effectively supporting student outcomes. Strengthening these processes is intended to better align local strategies with statewide performance targets.

Current Oregon student metrics include an 83.0 percent on-time graduation rate, an 87.4 percent five-year completion rate, and 86.6 percent of ninth grade students currently on track to graduate.

The players

Oregon Department of Education

This is the state agency responsible for overseeing public primary and secondary education throughout Oregon.

Secretary of State

This constitutional officer is responsible for auditing state agencies to ensure transparency and accountability.

The details

The Department of Education is now connecting funded strategies to local Performance Growth Targets while establishing formal internal audit policies to address the eight total recommendations. These changes are designed to improve the transparency and evaluation of the programs established by Measure 98.

Voters approved Measure 98 in 2016.
The agency expects to complete all audit recommendations by December 2027.
The earliest target completion date for recommendations is February 2027.

Culture Shift

This response marks a shift toward stricter regulatory oversight of Measure 98, which was designed to expand career and technical education. The move signals a transition from the initial implementation phase of the law toward a focus on rigorous fiscal and operational accountability.

Students and families in Oregon may see more structured performance reporting as the department aligns local school strategies with state growth targets. These improvements aim to provide greater clarity on how public funds are utilized to support ninth-grade track and graduation goals.

The takeaway

The agency is prioritizing internal policy updates to meet the standards set by the state audit. Families should expect a more data-driven approach to how local schools manage success programs through 2027.