OSBA Sounding Boards

OSBA Sounding Boards is a regular exploration of school system issues with education experts and passionate advocates. You can listen to episodes by clicking on the links below or through your favorite podcast app.

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•  Feb. 5, 2020 – End of naming, shaming and blaming
  The Oregon Department of Education is here to help school districts and education service districts as the Student Success Act adds public education program funding and puts new demands on school leaders, says Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Colt Gill.
• Jan. 7, 2020 – Preventing threats before students are lost
  John Van Dreal, an internationally recognized school safety expert, explains how the Salem-Keizer Threat Assessment System he helped pioneer can be used to guide educators to identify potentially dangerous situations and intervene before they escalate to tragedy.
• Nov. 25, 2019 - Internships unite school and business goals
  Better Together connects the community with central Oregon schools to close gaps. The nonprofit is helping facilitate internships that give students valuable work and education skills while also building bridges between the business community and classrooms.
• Oct. 29, 2019 -  Equity as a ‘moral imperative’
  The Student Success Act commands school districts to consider equity issues. National consultant and former school board member Daryl Dixon addresses why equity is important and how school leaders can approach community conversations.
• Sept. 30, 2019 - Taking on early learning
  McMinnville School District, recognizing the importance of early learning for student success, has created programs to engage and teach children and their families before they ever enter the K-12 system.
• Aug. 27, 2019 - More classes, more counselors, more teachers
  Erick Flores, an Oregon teacher and school board member, offers his personal observations about how the Student Success Act will help schools provide more opportunities for their students.
• July 10, 2019 - Trauma-informed care by the nonexperts
  For La Grande Superintendent George Mendoza, relationship-building is the basis of helping students who have suffered trauma learn better and be successful in school. The district’s Culture of Care Plan not only helps the students but also helps the staff as it gives them more tools to create a safe, happy and productive learning environment.
• May 1, 2019 - 'Life-changing' education plan
  The Student Success Act, a bill to create a significant and stable investment in Oregon's schools, is working through the Legislature, offering real hope for district leaders. OSBA Executive Director Jim Green explains how the legislation works and what it means for communities.
• March 18, 2019 - Dedicated funding for student success
  Rep. Barbara Smith Warner, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Student Success, reveals why legislators think schools need more money and what they hope to accomplish in the 2019 legislative session.
• Jan. 30, 2019 - Trauma-informed care for students
  Nicole Barker, the Tigard High math department chair, and Alfonso Ramirez, the trauma-informed specialist coordinator at Tigard High, share their insights from a pilot program exploring how to teach students who are impacted by trauma.
• Dec. 6, 2018 -  Lessons from the Student Success Committee
  Oregon Sen. Arnie Roblan shares what the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success has learned and what it hopes to accomplish.
• Sept. 19, 2018 - OSBA Fall Regional Meetings
  OSBA Legislative Services Director Lori Sattenspiel and Legislative Specialist Richard Donovan describe the trials and tribulations, as well as the purpose, of OSBA's Fall Regional meetings.