Oregon Audit Found Failures in High School Success Program

The Oregon Department of Education failed to address most issues identified in a 2024 performance review.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized school archway with three wooden blocks, evoking a state audit of educational oversight. — The Oregon Secretary of State's office found that the Department of Education has failed to address seven of eight deficiencies in the state's High School Success program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Oregon Secretary of State's Office released a new audit detailing ongoing deficiencies within the state's High School Success program. The report found that the Oregon Department of Education has failed to fully correct seven of eight problems identified in 2024.

Why it matters

The High School Success program is designed to boost graduation rates and support career and technical education for students across Oregon. Continued struggles with oversight and documentation may hinder the effective delivery of these essential educational resources.

The state allocated $338 million to the program this biennium, providing $800 in annual grant funding per high school student. While the state's graduation rate sits at 83%, the program's oversight remains a central concern for officials.

The players

Oregon Secretary of State's Office

This state government agency is responsible for conducting performance and financial reviews of public programs.

Oregon Department of Education

This state agency oversees public education policies and implements programs like the High School Success initiative.

The details

The audit revealed that the Oregon Department of Education continues to lack assigned oversight responsibilities and clear documentation for program deficiencies. While the dropout rate has decreased from 4% to 2.75%, the agency has committed to finishing the seven remaining audit tasks by 2027.

Oregon voters approved the Measure 98 initiative in 2016.
A 2024 audit initially identified eight specific problems within the program.
The Oregon Secretary of State's Office released the new audit on September 23, 2026.
The department plans to resolve seven uncompleted audit tasks by 2027.

Culture Shift

This audit reflects a broader trend of increased state-level scrutiny regarding the implementation of voter-approved education mandates. It underscores the ongoing tension between funding availability and the administrative capacity required to manage state educational outcomes effectively.

The mismanagement of grant funds may delay the expansion of career and technical education programs at local high schools. Families should monitor whether their district receives the allocated $800 per student in light of these documented administrative shortcomings.

The takeaway

Effective educational programs require not just significant financial investment but also rigorous administrative oversight to ensure goals are met. Residents should remain informed on audit outcomes to hold state agencies accountable for promised student improvements.