Oregon Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) is The Oregon National Guard's alternative high school, located in Bend, Oregon; it gives at-risk students a second chance to catch up on credits. In addition, the program allows attendees to re-enter high school, graduate on time with their peers, or graduate from OYCP with a state-accredited high school diploma. OYCP graduated 131 cadets from their 22-week program at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

Oregon has 4.7 percent of students enrolled in alternative programs with a 19 percent dropout rate according to a 2017 audit. In 2016 voters passed Measure 98, which helped to implement the High School Success Program that focuses on improving graduation rates. The Oregon Department of Education High School Success Program website still uses the 2017 report for graduation rate data. The 2022 audit not only evaluates Measure 98 and the five funding programs implemented, but five additional related programs. The dropout prevention strategy for these programs is based on activities to reduce chronic absenteeism for students at risk of dropping out and giving them academic and social support and providing them with early exposure to employment opportunities and options for post-secondary education.

In 1999, the Oregon National Guard established the OYCP in Bend as the only accredited statewide alternative high school as an intervention program to reclaim the lives of Oregon teens who had dropped out of high school or were not on track to graduate. To help at-risk students, the Department of Defense invested in the OYCP style challenge model for youth development and community outreach.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

OYCP graduation guest speaker, Oregon National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Brig, General Eric J. Riley said, "You are the future leaders of our communities...we believe there is no better program or alternative school to meet the needs of our students who might otherwise drop through the cracks."

The stated mission of OYCP is: To provide opportunities for personal growth, self-improvement, and academic achievement among Oregon high school dropouts, teens no longer attending, and those failing in school through a highly structured non-traditional environment, integrating training, mentoring, and diverse educational activities.

OYCP Director Mr. Daniel Radabaug said, "We want to help students get back on track to be productive citizens for the State of Oregon. OYCP is free to attend for any Oregonian that qualifies; cadets live here at no cost during the 22 weeks while they catch up and learn valuable life skills."

OYCP attendees must be 15 to 18 years old, a legal United States and Oregon resident, and academically deficient (behind in high school credits) or in danger of not graduating high school. The next class begins January 11, 2023. OYCP can be contacted through their website, or by calling 541-317-9623.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-16 20:00:39

Last Update: 2022-12-17 14:06:58