News Center
Deadline offers chance to catch breath, look at the bills that still have a chance
April 11, 2025We are in the lull before the next storm. The April 9 deadline to move bills out of policy committees marks roughly the halfway-point of the 2025 legislative session. It... Read More
Intense discussions improve accountability legislation
April 11, 2025One of the biggest issues to make it past the Legislature’s April 9 process deadline was the governor’s accountability bills, House Bill 2009 and Senate Bill 141. Only one bill... Read More
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Assurances of FERPA Compliance (April 2025)
April 11, 2025U.S. Department of Education Seeks Assurances of FERPA Compliance The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) issued on Friday, March 28, a letter that served as the... Read More
PACE Day highlights power of prevention
April 11, 2025Detective Michael Johnson (ret.) said he wouldn’t let his audience at Thursday’s PACE Day at the Sunriver Resort turn a blind eye to sex abuse because they have to see... Read More
Oregon is resisting certification request
April 10, 2025Our nation is struggling to define what it means to serve all students. Oregon has joined the states standing up for the rule of law so that schools can serve all their... Read More
Response to federal certification request
April 4, 2025We understand school leaders are concerned about the federal government’s latest communication, but we don’t want anyone to take any rash actions before we know more. The U.S. Department... Read More
Good definition of shared accountability should guide legislation details
April 4, 2025Over the past year that accountability has been a topic of conversation in Oregon education policy, I’ve heard two descriptions from district leaders that stand out to me: “Shared accountability... Read More
Laws protect students when they are written well
April 4, 2025One of the things that defines OSBA’s advocacy work is the depth of the resources and expertise we can call on. Laws require the right language to operate as intended.... Read More
Evolving education accountability measure raises more questions
April 3, 2025A rare joint meeting of the Senate and House education committees heard testimony from the Oregon Department of Education on Wednesday about education accountability legislation. (Photo by Jake Arnold, OSBA)... Read More
Legislature proposes statewide ban on cell phones in schools
March 28, 2025The Oregon Legislature stepped into the national debate on cell phones in schools with a hearing Wednesday, March 26, on House Bill 2251. Cell phones can be addictive distractions in... Read More
Deadlines quicken hearing pace, but there is still time for voice of reason
March 28, 2025Legislative deadlines always change the session’s pace. Big issues that have already moved out of committee are no longer under the spotlight as much (e.g., Senate Bill 916, unemployment insurance... Read More
Budget framework pictures $11.4 billion State School Fund, but details still need to be drawn
March 21, 2025It’s official: The Legislature is aiming for an $11.4 billion State School Fund. The Co-Chair Budget Framework, released Wednesday, March 19, is the first indication of how the Legislature intends... Read More
Early literacy, summer learning bills make hearing appearances but still need some work
March 21, 2025With bills needing to be scheduled by Friday, March 21, for a work session, committee agendas have been quite full. The House Education Committee held four work sessions and four... Read More
School budget writing depends on many estimates outside districts’ control
March 21, 2025School budgeting is one part science and one part educated guesses seasoned with unforeseen circumstances and a pinch of hopeful thinking baked under a constant heat of state and federal... Read More
ODE revises language on athletics in ‘Supporting Gender Expansive Students: Guidance for Schools’
March 20, 2025The Oregon Department of Education is updating the “Supporting Gender Expansive Students: Guidance for Schools” it put out two years ago. The section it published Tuesday, March 18, on athletics... Read More
Legislature writes $11.4 billion State School Fund in pencil
March 20, 2025The Phoenix-Talent School District offers a quick rundown of school budget basics on its website. A school district budget is a plan based on a series of estimates, and it’s... Read More
OSBA engages InterMountain superintendent as first part-time regional school board trainer
March 18, 2025Districts interested in board development training can contact OSBA Board Development Director Kristen Miles at [email protected]. After 17 years as InterMountain Education Service District superintendent – and 37 years in... Read More
Good intentions aren’t enough when writing laws that affect school direction
March 14, 2025The Oregon Department of Education began convening a legislatively mandated discussion on accountability in February 2024, more than a year ago. We saw the first public results this week of... Read More