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2025 K-12 Public Education Legislative Session Update - That's a Wrap!
Wed, Jul 2 11:47am

How will Oregon’s 2025 Legislative Session Impact K-12 Public Education?

I hope you are all well into your summer rhythm by now, so my apologies for pushing in with an legislative education update!

It was a LONG legislative session this year with lots of critical legislation on the table.   It was exciting to work with both experienced and new public school advocates in solidarity for our children, Duniway, PPS and public school education needs across our state.   This year was my first step into Oregon’s public schools and I was in awe of the support and involvement of the Duniway community in so many ways.  There was no doubt that our voices were louder, clearer and more impactful together.  The state passed a number of education-focused bills, in large part, due to the strength of the public school advocates across Oregon.  One lawmaker stated, “I would have voted for less school funding this year if it was not for the voices of public school advocates in my district”.  It is incredible what one person, one school, one community, one collective voice can do…and we are only getting started.

The Oregon State Legislature had over 1900 bills introduced this legislative session.  Many never made it to a vote, but a record breaking number of education bills did.  Here is a brief summary of the education bill outcomes - what did and did not pass:

  • Governor Kotek’s for the 2025 - 2027 biennium education budget - Funded at $11.36 billion

While education advocates asked the state to fund the budget to meet the Quality Education Model (QEM), the approved budget fell far short of that goal.  However, in light of the potential looming federal budget cuts that may shift the burden of funding services to the States, the education budget that passed feels significant.

  • Student Investment Account (SIA) - Funded at $1.11 billion

The SIA is a component of the State School Fund.  This grant focuses on supporting student mental and behavioral health needs and increasing academic achievement for historically marginalized and socioeconomically challenged student populations.

  • Department of Early Learning and Care - Funded at $1.4 billion

This is a $45 million shortfall to current programming.  These cuts will reduce access to preschool and other cultural learning programs.  

  • SB 141 K-12 Education Accountability Bill - Passed

    • Expands statewide metrics to track student outcomes (i.e., attendance, graduation rates, reading and math proficiency)

    • Improves measurement of performance to aid educators in classroom instruction

    • Requires districts to establish goals to support student outcomes.

    • Establishes clear milestones for state coaching and interventions if districts are not meeting set milestones.

    • Strengthens Oregon’s Dept of Education’s authority and support for districts.

  • SB 316 Updated Calculation of Appropriations to the State School Fund - Passed

    • Updates for how the state estimates the total amount of funding needed to maintain school districts' existing programs and services.

  • HB 2007 Summer Learning Programs - Passed

    • Establishes sustainable and predictable summer learning opportunities for students in public schools, education service districts, charter schools and sovereign tribal nations

    • Narrow focus on improving literacy versus diverse learning opportunities.

  • HB 2953A Removing the Cap on Special Education Funding - Did not pass out of committee

Passage of this bill would have removed the percentage cap (currently capped at 11% of a school’s student population) on funding allocation distributed to school districts to support students with disabilities, eligible for special education services.

  • SB 317 Incrementally Increases Funding Allocations for Special Education - Did not pass out of committee

Passage of this bill would have gradually increased the percentage cap on funding allocation distributed to school districts to support students with disabilities eligible for special education services.  

  • HB 2448 High Cost Disability Funding - Did not pass out of committee

This bill would have increased financial appropriations for High Cost Disability needs from the State School Fund.

  • HB 3652 Class Sizes and Caseloads as Mandatory Topics During Collective Bargaining - Did not pass out of committee

The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) 2024 bargaining agreement has this stipulation in their contract.  Duniway’s Class Size Committee has been working with PAT and PPS on this issue since October, 2024.

 

For more 2025 - 2027 budgetary details, see the Oregon School Boards Association.

We made a lot of headway in a year where the Department of Education was deconstructed and Oregon’s budget is uncertain.  Unfortunately, we made little headway regarding securing funding for federally mandated special education.  So, we have a lot of good work still to do.  Onward and upward we go.

Have a great summer! 

 

In solidarity for our children and our public schools,

Tracy Gluckman

(Parent to rising 1st grader, PTA Advocacy Co-Chair)