Kotek, lawmakers propose new accountability measures for Oregon schools

Gov. Tina Kotek is supporting a new bill aimed at updating public school accountability measures to boost student outcomes as Oregon students' reading and math scores have lagged in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Bill 2009 received its first public hearing Monday. Kotek and legislative leadership said the bill would help more quickly identify which districts need hands-on interventions.

"When schools aren’t delivering for students, we all have to step up," Kotek said in a press conference on Monday. "It’s time to be clear-eyed about our numbers and change how the state and districts work together on improving student outcomes.”

Kotek said schools need more resources to give students the best chance to succeed. Her recommended budget calls for a historic $11.3 billion investment into the state school fund for the next two-year budget. She's also called for a change to the state school fund calculation to more predictably calculate school funding needs.

"But I don't believe in writing a blank check, and I don't believe in accepting the status quo when it comes to delivering for our students," Kotek said.

Oregon sees stagnant test scores, mediocre reading and math scores

Statewide assessment results in October for the 2023-2024 school year revealed Oregon academic proficiency levels were stagnant compared to 2021-22 with 42.5% of Oregon students proficient in English language arts, 31% proficient in math and 29% proficient in science.

In the state's second largest school district, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, test scores fell across the board and were below the state average with 31% of Salem-Keizer students proficient in English, 20% proficient in math and 20% proficient in science.

Federal test results reflected similar concerning outcomes in Oregon. Oregon fourth graders' reading scores and eighth graders' reading and math scores dropped further below the national average in the 2024 Nation's Report Card released in January.

"Our student outcomes remain amongst the lowest in the nation. That is unacceptable," House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said. "We need to treat the current situation with the urgency it demands."

Fahey said the reforms lawmakers are proposing will ensure that school districts receive the resources and support they need.

Bill's accountability measures include 'interim assessments'

HB 2009 would add two new metrics to the "Student Success Metrics" school districts are required to track in accordance with the Student Success Act.

Schools in Oregon currently track regular attendance, third grade reading proficiency, ninth grade on-track rate, four-year graduation and five-year completion rate. The proposed bill will also require tracking kindergarten through second grade regular attendance and eighth grade math proficiency.

The bill also requires use of “interim assessments" during the school year, which would measure student performance growth. Kotek said the interim assessments would help school districts have a "real time" understanding about where their students are and not have to wait and catch up.

"You're continually evaluating," Kotek explained.

The requirement for interim assessments would first apply to the 2026-2027 school year.

Oregon Department of Education would step in for 'hands on' approach in struggling districts

The 2019 Student Success Act also established an “intensive program” for struggling Oregon school districts to receive coaching and extra funding from the Oregon Department of Education. But that program is voluntary under current law.

According to testimony from the Oregon Department of Education, the agency invited 12 districts to the intensive coaching program. Only Reynolds, North Wasco, Jefferson County and Falls City accepted.

The program would no longer be optional under HB 2009.

If a school district is not meeting performance growth targets for two years, that district must accept coaching from ODE. After three years of not meeting growth targets, the district would be required to participate in the intensive coaching program.

According to ODE, if changes in HB 2009 were in place, 19 school districts would require coaching as 10% haven't met growth targets.

And after four years of struggling, ODE would be able to step in and direct how the district spends 25% of its revenue.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castañeda testified in support of the bill but spoke of significant concern with the possibility of ODE taking control of district spending.

Budgeting timelines and the interventions outlined in the bill do not align, she said.

"I see no version of this that doesn't also violate collective bargaining agreements," Castañeda added. "To direct or withhold up to 25% of state funding will mean, without question, that districts will find themselves in conflict with the agreements we have already made."

Ways and Means Education Subcommittee member Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, also criticized the bill referring to it as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" where "unelected state bureaucrats" would dictate spending.

An identical bill, Senate Bill 141, is scheduled for a public hearing Wednesday.

The window to submit testimony for the House bill will be open until 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo or on Bluesky at @diannelugo.bsky.social.