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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University K-12 Online program has signed an agreement with the Siletz Valley Early College Academy to provide classes for Native American students and all students who will attend the new charter high school.

One of the problems facing Native American communities today, officials say, is a lack of funding for their education programs. The K-12 Online program, developed by Extended Campus at OSU, offers online courses, mostly for middle school and high school students, which supplement the gaps in local program offerings.

Extended Campus will develop and deliver courses specifically designed for Native American students, which should help them meet college enrollment requirements and also incorporate Native American history and cultural aspects.

The Siletz Valley Early College Academy will pay half the cost for the 40 classes, which are being developed over the next 18 months and will be delivered beginning in September. After these additions, the OSU K-12 Online program will contain almost all the classes needed for a student to get a high school diploma in Oregon. Educators say the program may also offer a model for other Native American tribes that may wish to use this program.

Across Oregon, the OSU K-12 Online program focuses on filling in the gaps in education caused by budget cutbacks and other program shortcomings. These problems can result in overcrowded classrooms and reduced options in the school curriculum.

For more information on the program, contact OSU K-12 Online, at (800) 667-1465.