Education

By Anne Nesse

SB 1050 was introduced to Senate Education on 3/30 by Melissa Goff, advisor to Governor Kotek. Those testifying pointed out how important knowledge and understanding of other ethnicities, native American cultures, and religious persecution during the holocaust was to understanding the human condition.

Even though curriculum legislation passed in 2017 on these subjects, teachers were still in need of funding for professional development opportunities, to succeed in teaching these concepts. Sen. Lew Frederick reminded us that this knowledge should be apparent throughout the curriculum in grades K-12.

In House Education on 3/29, Rep. Neron announced that Congress recently made Federal funding available to allow all Oregon students to eat free and healthy breakfasts and lunches, without any type of discrimination, because all students will be eligible. More news on this coming soon, she stated.

These House Education bills are moving to the floor this week:

HB 2656 A, requires school districts to make informational surveys on healthy environment of their school available to students statewide and to provide parents and guardians with notice and opportunity to review the survey before it is administered.

HB 3068 A, provides that high school students in grade 11 or 12 may be awarded a high school equivalency diploma if the student has received a certificate for passing approved high school equivalency test and meets other conditions.

HB 3584, directs schools to provide electronic communication to parents and guardians of students attending, at which safety threat action occurred.

HB 3135, preserves additional funding for small school districts that merge with one or more school districts if certain conditions are met.

HB 2690 -1, requires school districts to pay classified school employees not less than 10% more than minimum wage that applies to all employees who work in this state and not less than 15% more than minimum wage if classified school employees provide support to students with individualized education programs or who are enrolled in special education.

HB 3014 -5, directs ODE to adopt rules that allow for reimbursement of school district expenses incurred in lieu of transporting students, such as walking or biking patrols.

HB 2281 -3, requires school districts and public charter schools to designate civil rights coordinator.

HB 3178 A, expands criteria for awarding scholarships to diverse teacher candidates.

HB 3236 A, authorizes expenditures from Statewide Education Initiatives Account for funding of regional career and technical education programs.

HB 3204 A, shortens timelines and requirements for when a school district makes determination to give approval for students to enroll in virtual public charter school not sponsored by school district, above 3% cap.

HB 2895, removes cap on amounts distributed from State School Fund to school districts for students eligible for special education as children with disabilities.

These bills in Senate Education are moving to the floor this week:

SB 409 -6, prescribes information related to courses of study offered by school districts that the district school board must ensure is provided on the school district's website.

SB 758 -3, prescribes timelines and redacting requirements for records related to provision of special education.

SB 275 -4, requires ODE, TSPC, and Educator Advancement Council to conduct study to identify best means of improving alignment among state education agencies.

SB 421 -1, establishes a youth advisory council.

SB 426 -2, modifies requirements of Healthy and Safe Schools Plan related to integrated pest management.

SB 3 -3, requires students to complete one credit of future planning as a requirement for high school diploma.

SB 218, requires ODE and law enforcement agencies to make available to TSPC certain information received during investigation of suspected sexual conduct or child abuse.

SB 416, requires public universities and community colleges to pay part-time faculty at the same rate, on a per-hour basis, as public university or community college pays full-time faculty to prepare for and teach courses.

SB 756 -1, requires school district employees assigned to work with students with specialized needs to have access to specified records related to students and to be consulted when the education plan for students is reviewed or revised.

SB 215 -2, allows ODE to adjust amounts charged related to distribution of agricultural products received from the United States Department of Agriculture for school food programs.

SB 596, requires school districts to submit specified information to ODE related to talented and gifted children.

SB 736, requires ODE to conduct study to identify how to increase access to advanced instruction for the purpose of preparing students for college and career.