Legislative Briefs
CTE fees
What it does: There are 11 not-for-profit career and technical student organizations specifically authorized as part of the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. HB 2537A would allow school districts to use Student Success Act funds to pay for membership fees and other costs associated with career and technical student organizations.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Monday, May 17, and possible work session Wednesday, May 19.
Teacher diversity
What it does: Oregon's efforts to diversify its teaching workforce date to 1991 with passage of the Minority Teacher Act, since renamed the Educator Equity Act. SB 232A would require the Educator Advancement Council to report biennially to the Legislature and allow the council to add goals and engage in strategic planning to diversify the state's educator workforce.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing and possible work session Thursday, May 20.
TAG students
What it does: Current law defines talented and gifted children as those requiring special educational programs or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program to realize their contribution to self and society. School districts are required to submit an instruction plan for TAG children and may apply for state funds. SB 486A would require that plan include opportunity for talented and gifted children and their parents to discuss available programs and services.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Tuesday, May 18.
Legislative notes:
House Bill 2631A (April 19 Legislative Briefs) would, under certain circumstances, require school officials to notify parents or guardians of students subject to acts of harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyberbullying and of students who may have conducted such acts, with exceptions for privacy and safety concerns for students. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Monday, May 17.
Senate Bill 242A (April 19 Legislative Briefs) is a technical fix bill that addresses implementation challenges stemming from SB 155 (2019). Updates in SB 242A include technical modifications to the definition of sexual conduct and enhanced records-sharing permissions for agencies and school districts. The bill would also add education service district board members to the list of mandatory reporters in ORS 419b. The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session Tuesday, May 18.
Senate Bill 602 (April 5 Legislative Briefs) would make permanent the Student Assessment Bill of Rights passed in 2015, which allows a parent to excuse a child from taking certain annual statewide assessments and requires school districts to notify parents about statewide assessments and their opt-out rights. The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Thursday, May 20.