New Oregon education laws address equity issues for Pacific Islander students, others
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Gov. Tina Kotek joined community leaders, educators and other lawmakers for a ceremonial signing of seven bills surrounding education and child care Wednesday.
The bills highlighted included House Bill 5015, which directs a historic $10.2 billion to the K-12 State School Fund for the 2023-2025 biennium, a billion-dollar increase in current funding. The funding will be paired with local property tax revenues to direct a total of $15.3 billion to K-12 schools.
Several bills addressing education were passed during the 2023 legislative session and have been signed by Kotek. Others featured during the ceremonial signing included the early childhood literacy initiative and a bill to address the educator workforce shortage.
Kotek also highlighted bills to address equity in the state.
They included Senate Bill 1050, HB 2281 and HB 3144.
SB 1050 addresses the implementation of standards around Holocaust and genocide studies in Oregon schools, aligning the implementation date of both content standards. The standards were passed in 2019.
HB 2281 will require school districts to employ a designated civil rights coordinator to direct efforts preventing discrimination and provide support on civil rights issues and compliance with state and federal laws.
To address chronic absenteeism rates and dropout rates of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students in the state, the Legislature also passed HB 3144.
According to the Oregon Department of Education, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students have the second-highest drop rates among students in the state and represent the highest rate of chronic absenteeism. The new law directs the department to develop and implement a Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Plan.
Similar plans exist for Black, Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native and LGBTQ+ students. The plans require ODE to form advisory groups made up of people identifying as members of each group to identify strategies to address disproportionate educational outcomes.
“This bill is not only a critical investment in education, but an acknowledgment that we see Pacific Islander students and recognize the assets they bring into our classrooms and communities,” Rep. Hoa Nguyen, D-East Portland and Damascus, said in a news release Wednesday.
Oregon has one of the largest Pacific Islander populations in the country and the state has to work towards an "equitable educational system," Nguyen added.
The new laws represent a renewed commitment as a state to equity, which Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, said during the ceremony is under attack across the country.
"But here in Oregon, we've maintained our commitment to the success of all students," Dembrow said. "Wherever they live, whatever their background, whatever their abilities and challenges, they each need and deserve a fair and equal shot at success."
Kotek said the new laws are just a start to addressing gaps and issues within the Oregon education system.
“While I will always push for more, I can stand here today saying we made progress for our kids. We have built a strong foundation for the work ahead," she said.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter at @diannelugo
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signs new education, child care bills
