January 2025 Education Update

Oregon Achieves... Together!

A Message from Oregon Department of Education Director Dr. Charlene Williams

Dear Education Community,

Happy New Year!

I’ve always loved the start of a new year—a time of renewed hope, fresh possibilities, and a shared commitment to delivering on the promise of a high-quality education for every scholar in our state.

We’re excited to share that the College Board called Oregon a "unicorn" as we not only increased Advanced Placement (AP) participation rates for diverse students in almost all racial/ethnic categories, but also had higher percentages of those students earning 3s, 4s, and 5s on their AP examinations!

As we step into 2025, we do so with a clear vision and strong momentum. The upcoming legislative session presents an opportunity to advocate for the resources and supports our schools need to ensure students thrive.

The Governor’s proposed investment in education—including an increase in the current service level and key initiatives including early literacy and summer and afterschool learning—reflects a commitment to strengthening opportunities for every learner.

We are also advancing a renewed vision for education and accountability, one that prioritizes student success and well-being. This is a chance to work together—educators, families, policymakers, and communities—to ensure our schools have the tools and support necessary to help students learn, grow, and contribute.

At the same time, we recognize the challenges of this moment. Across the country, education remains at the center of tough debates, and our collective charge is to keep students at the heart of every decision. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” As we celebrate his legacy this month, let us recommit to the work of justice in education—ensuring that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to succeed.

January is also School Board Recognition Month, and I want to thank those passionate, committed leaders serving on the Boards of Education for Oregon’s 197 school districts, 19 Education Service Districts, and, of course, the State Board of Education.

I’m excited for the work ahead and grateful for your partnership in making this vision a reality. Let’s make 2025 a year of progress, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to our scholars.

With appreciation,

Dr. Charlene Williams

2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year Nominations are Open

Honor an outstanding educator in your life - Nominations for Oregon Teacher of the Year are open now through February 6th.

The Oregon Teacher of the Year serves as the face and voice of educators across the state. As a representative of the profession, this teacher leader will engage and inspire other teachers and community leaders.

Nominees for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12.

What happens after nominations close in February?

All eligible teachers* who have been nominated will be invited to apply. Candidates who submit an application will then be in-the-running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year from one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state in September.

One of the Regional Winners will then be chosen as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by a blue ribbon panel. Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives an award of $10,000, as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.

“Being selected as Oregon Teacher of the Year has truly been an honor for me, my family, and my community. It has felt like an award we've all won,” said Bryan Butcher Jr., Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year. “The chance to make an impact is why I began teaching. And with this new honor, I have the chance to spread that impact in ways I could not have imagined. I'm stoked for the future!”

The Oregon Teacher of the Year will also submit an application to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.

Thank you for nominating an exemplary educator in your life!

If you have questions, please reach out to Oregon Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator, Michelle Goodness.

*For more information about Oregon Teacher of the Year eligibility requirements, please see the “About” section on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.

ODE In the News

The Wilsonville Spokesman shared ODE’s call for more sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program.
OPB reported on the ODE grant to Western Oregon University, looking at how it will help Latinx students in the Central School District.
The Ontario Argus Observer explained how the Vale School District used several state funding sources to address student mental health in their schools.

Student Spotlight

The Oregonian talked with a Westview HS Junior who is Oregon’s first woman grandmaster in chess at just 16 years old.
KDRV in Medford heard from students at Phoenix HS who are getting a hands-on look at careers in EMS thanks to the school’s CTE program.
The East Oregonian congratulated three Hermiston HS seniors who won the Congressional App Challenge.

Plan for the Upcoming EVE Workforce Survey for Licensed, Classified and Contracted Staff

Oregon’s first Elevating Voices in Education (EVE) Workforce Survey is coming February 4. The survey window will go through March 21, 2025. The EVE Workforce Survey is a free, anonymous, and confidential survey designed to gather insights from the public education workforce about their workplace experiences in order to provide actionable information to the state and districts.

What is Required?

ORS 342.676 requires Public Education Providers (districts, charter schools, ESDs, YCEP/JDEP, Oregon School for the Deaf, and long term care or treatment facilities) to provide staff with an opportunity to participate in the EVE Workforce Survey.

Who Should Take the Survey?

Licensed, classified, and contracted staff. The law requires staff members to be informed of and provided an opportunity to complete the EVE Survey, but staff participation in the EVE Survey is voluntary.

Get the Word Out:

Please share this Save the Date Flyer with your staff electronically. We also recommend sharing it in-person (e.g., at a staff meeting or posting where it can be easily accessed.)

Contact Us

If you have any questions about accessing or completing the EVE Survey please visit the EVE website or contact ODE.edstaffsurvey@ode.oregon.gov.

More Schools, Community Organizations Sought for Summer Food Service Program

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is seeking more schools, community organizations and tribes to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this summer to help ensure that children and teens receive the nutritious meals they need during the summer months.

As an incentive, state grant funds are available up to $20,000 per sponsor to startup or expand summer meal programs.

SFSP works to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from meal programs during the school year, continue to have that same access to nutritious meals when schools are closed, or students are unable to attend school in person.

“During the summer months, when school is not in session, children often lose vital access to school nutrition programs. Summer meal sites ensure that children continue to receive the nutrition they need to learn and grow,” ODE Summer Food Service Program Outreach Coordinator Cathy Brock said. “Expanding access to the program is an important step to close the hunger gap in all areas of the state. ODE’s Child Nutrition Program is reaching out to ensure that children continue to receive meals throughout the summer.”

Schools, non-profit community organizations, local government agencies, camps and faith- based organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors.

Sponsoring organizations must enter into an agreement with ODE to operate the USDA Summer Food Service Program and are then reimbursed for serving healthy meals and snacks to children at approved sites. Sponsors may be approved to oversee and/or operate multiple sites.

Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, libraries, migrant centers, apartment complexes and faith-based locations.

Apply to Sponsor a Summer Meal Program and Apply for Outreach Funds

ODE has state grant funds available up to $20,000 to startup or expand summer meal programs. Eligible grant activities include the purchase of food service equipment, supplies for enrichment activities, and staff time to support and operate summer meal programs.

For questions about grant funds and more information about how your organization can become a Summer Food Service Program sponsor, please contact ODE’s Community Nutrition Team. The deadline to submit an eligibility assessment to become a Summer Food Service Sponsor is March 1, 2025.