ODE creates engagement toolkit to guide Student Success Act work
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
The Oregon Department of Education released Wednesday the Student Investment Account Engagement Toolkit to help school districts engage with their communities to fulfill the Student Success Act’s promise.
Deeply focused on equity, the act requires districts to work with students, families and communities to develop plans to spend roughly $500 million a year in new school grants from the Student Investment Account. Districts can use the money to address class size, instructional time, health and safety, and well-rounded education offerings.
ODE has collaborated with education stakeholders, including OSBA, to offer education leaders support and guidance.
The toolkit offers background on the act’s purpose and processes. It specifically calls on districts to better serve groups that have experienced systemic disparities.
Public input, particularly from underserved or marginalized groups, is required for a district needs assessment, part of the act’s grant application process. The toolkit is designed to help plan a comprehensive engagement strategy based on local needs.
The toolkit also offers a guide to the law’s expectations, with key dates. Districts must engage specified audiences and respond to priority areas, including addressing mental and behavioral health needs, developing public partnerships and allowing time for teacher collaboration and planning.
ODE is accepting feedback on the toolkit until Sept. 13 for an updated version expected in October.
