Legislative Briefs
Data collection
What it does: Student demographic data are collected at the school and district level, flows to the Oregon Department of Education, then on to the U.S. Department of Education. The data are tied to information such as graduation rate or proficiency on standardized tests to show disparities in the K-12 system. HB 3288 would require the State Board of Education to convene an advisory committee and to adopt uniform standards for collection of data on race, ethnicity, and preferred languages for public school students; to review and update the standards every two years; and to develop a plan for implementation in school districts by July 2026.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing with a possible work session Monday, March 20.
Threat communication
What it does: House Bill 3584 would require schools, after a safety threat action has been taken, to provide an electronic communication to the parents and guardians of its students and to its employees that would provide a general description, the duration and the school’s actions to resolve the situation and to protect students.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing with a possible work session Monday, March 20.
School environmental conditions
Bill Number: Senate Bill 426
What it does: School districts, education service districts and public charter schools are required to adopt plans that address environmental conditions in their buildings. District plans provide transparency for school communities and the public about the ways each district manages environmental hazards. SB 426 would add the Oregon Department of Agriculture to the required consultees in a plan’s development and sharing. It would require the Oregon Department of Education to provide technical assistance for reducing exposure to pesticides; to adopt a list of low-impact pesticides, effective nonchemical pest suppression strategies and recordkeeping and reporting policies; and to provide ongoing training on the minimum school district plan requirements. It would also require ODE to convene a Healthy and Safe Schools Integrated Pest Advisory Committee provide grants for a pilot program.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Tuesday, March 21.
Special education services
What it does: SB 633 would require ODE to establish a grant-based program to provide high-quality services and improved outcomes through regional centers for special education and related services, including intensive, wraparound, trauma-informed services that are evidence based, focus on improving outcomes for children and families, and meet equity and diversity goals.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing with a possible work session Tuesday, March 21.
Legislative notes:
House Bill 3178 (Feb. 21 Legislative Briefs) would expand the Higher Education Coordinating Commission criteria for awarding scholarships to culturally and linguistically diverse teacher candidates. The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session Monday, March 20.
Senate Bill 48 (March 6 Legislative Briefs) would restore the penalty for compulsory school attendance violations. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, March 23.
Senate Bill 238 (March 6 Legislative Briefs) would direct the Oregon Health Authority, State Board of Education and Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to develop curricula supplements related to certain drugs’ dangers and the laws that provide immunity or other protections for persons who report drug or alcohol use or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol overdoses for themselves or others. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Tuesday, March 21.
Senate Bill 279 (Feb. 21 Legislative Briefs) would enact the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact into law and establish the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission. The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session Monday, March 20.
Senate Bill 290 (Feb. 6 Legislative Briefs) would change the education duties of the State Board of Education, ODE, the superintendent of public instruction and district school boards, including charging the State Board of Education with providing supervision, management and control of the state’s public elementary and secondary schools and early childhood special education and early intervention services. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, March 23.
Senate Bill 518 (Feb. 27 Legislative Briefs) would establish the School Safety Construction Fund for qualifying construction projects related to school safety, using the one-time money from the corporate kicker. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, March 23.