Politics & You
OREGON EDUCATION LEGISLATION UPDATE
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n Friday, March 7 the Oregon Legislative Assembly concluded its work for the 2014 Session. Even though it was a short session, a lot of good work was done that will make a real difference in Oregon classrooms. A few important examples: A big win for educators, parents and students is the passage of House Bill 4150, which clarifies the intent of a law related to assessment and grading systems passed by the 2011 Legislature. The original 2011 bill, HB 2220, was intended to provide students and families a more accurate picture of a student’s progress in meeting Oregon’s academic content standards. However, this bill has led to significant problems that burdened districts, teachers and students, including data system capacity issues, overwhelming data collection and lack of teacher participation in creating a workable reporting system.
HB 4150 will aim to resolve these issues while ensuring more collaboration between teachers and administrators in districts that choose to offer proficiency education. This bill was signed by Governor Kitzhaber and is effective immediately. The House and Senate also approved a series of bills to support students over the summer. House Bill 4117 distributes $500,000 in grant money to high-poverty schools for summer school programs to help struggling learners. Some research suggests that as much as 80% of the achievement gap may be attributable to the so-called “summer slide” phenomenon. The grants are intended to support hiring teachers for summer reading and other academic programs. These grants will help local school districts keep students on track. The bill is expected to be approved by the governor. The legislature gave a nod to a measure – House Bill 4090 – that expands access to
nutritious meals for students. This program expansion is essential for over half of Oregon students who rely on free or reduced price meals in school. According to the Oregon Food Bank, many of these children lack access to nutritional meals during summer breaks. This legislation will award startup grants to schools and off-campus sites that want to provide summer meals. The bill also increases the cap for these grants from $10,000 to $20,000. The summer food program expansion bill has been signed by the governor. Although the short session doesn’t determine overall budgets for schools or other vital services (biennial budgets are developed during full, odd-year legislative sessions), Oregon schools did receive good news in the form of $2 million for additional career technical education grants. For more information and to keep updated on future legislative developments, visit http://www.oregoned.org/stay-informed/ politics/legislature-election
Proposed 2015 federal budget sets commonsense priorities for education
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to making higher education a possibility for n early March, President Barack Obama ishardworking students who can't afford it. sued his administration’s budget for fiscal NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, speakyear 2015. In it, Obama identified education ing on behalf of the Association’s as one of the cornerstones of his 3 million members, says that the economic agenda to shore up the proposed budget is a step in the middle class and expand opporright direction. tunities for all Americans. “We welcome President Barack "I believe that what unites the Obama’s budget priorities for people of this Nation, regardless students and their families,” of race or religion or party...is President Barack Van Roekel said in a statement. the simple, profound belief in op- Obama “Educators know that the road to portunity for all—the notion that economic security and prosperity starts in if you work hard and take responsibility, you America’s classrooms. President Obama’s can get ahead," the President said. budget rightly reflects our belief that a The president proposed $56 billion in strong economy starts with a public educaadditional spending on education, welfare, tion system that creates opportunity and and defense programs, paid for in part by excellence for all.” ending a tax break for wealthy retirees. “We applaud the president for moving The planned budget recognizes education towards ending the era of austerity and as a commonsense priority for building recognizing the need to protect Social Secuthe workforce of tomorrow, from expandrity. Replacing the unnecessary automatic ing access to high quality early childhood budget cuts, known as sequester, which education to funding federal K-12 programs
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TODAY’S OEA | APRIL 2014
caused significant and harmful damage to schools and working families, with smart investments in education, infrastructure, and research and development is necessary to move the country forward.” While the proposed budget has almost no chance of passing the Republican controlled House of Representatives in Congress without significant changes, it clearly lays out Obama's policy priorities ahead of the November midterm elections, as well as his continued commitment to strengthening and supporting public education. “Now is the time to start making smart, targeted investments in education and creating economic opportunities for more families,” Van Roekel said. “We appreciate the president’s laser-like focus on jobs, raising the minimum wage, and reforming our broken immigration system to improve the economy. We look forward to working with Congress and the president to help create an economy that works for all.”