Joint Committee on Student Success begins yearlong effort to foster better schools
The Joint Committee on Student Success held its first hearing Friday on its yearlong journey to provide students with a thriving school system. The committee is working to create a plan to improve educational outcomes for students across the state. The plan must include a budget proposal that is sufficient to achieve success, be sustainable in its commitment to students, and accountable toward achieving the plan’s goals.
The committee’s workplan is still being finalized, but early indications point to several meetings around the state talking to students about their experiences, what is working and what needs are going unmet along their education journey. The committee will talk with school board members, business leaders, community-based partners and parents around the state.
The committee is expected to finalize its meetings schedule later in the legislative session.
OSBA Board President LeeAnn Larsen (Beaverton SD) testified Friday. She told the committee that the state needs to concentrate on revenue reform and cost containment if it wants to provide a high-quality K-12 education. She said students are our future and "we owe them more than words."
During the Friday hearing, members of the committee asked that co-chairs Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D-Portland) and Sen. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) consider adding into the work plan:
- Meeting with business leaders to find out what is important for their future workforce to know.
- Talking with school board members about local control versus state mandates and accountability.
- Meeting with community-based organizations about how they provide services to students.
OSBA stands ready to work with the committee as they finalize their plan, assisting with tours of school district programs, organizing meetings and gathering information that supports the committee’s five foundational principles:
- Early childhood education is crucial to school success.
- Attendance at school for sufficient learning time is essential.
- Improve high school graduation rates.
- The school system needs to be accountable and transparent.
- Schools need stable and sufficient resources.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. every Friday during the legislative session.
- Lori Sattenspiel
Director of legislative services