April 2024 Education Update

Oregon Achieves... Together!

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

Dear Education Community,

There are two things in the foreground for me during this month of new beginnings and beautiful blooms.

The first is a deeply felt and, I believe widely shared, concern around school attendance. This is real and it is top of mind for many across our state; and there are no easy answers. I don’t want to sugar coat the challenges in addressing chronic absenteeism, which has deep roots in systemic racism and disproportionately impacts students of color, students experiencing disabilities, English language learners, students experiencing houselessness, and non-binary students. And: there is also so much to be hopeful about. Through programs like Every Day Matters (EDM), High School Success, Tribal Attendance and Promising Practices (TAPP) and the Integrated Community Partnerships Grant, districts and community based organizations are working together to focus on strategies that we know help to combat some of the challenges to regular attendance, like:

Increasing parent/family agency to navigate systems and meet their family’s basic needs;
Building school cultural awareness and recruiting mentors from the community;
Partnering with mental and behavioral health professionals in the field;
Addressing barriers to attendance for youth experiencing houselessness, (ie, housing and clothing, transportation resources);
Implementing data-informed practices which support the unique characteristics and social experiences of children/youth of color;
Providing one-to-one tutoring; and
Increasing summer learning and extended or afterschool learning time.

We all need to have a hand in cultivating the conditions in our schools and communities that motivate students to not only show up, but to thrive in their educational experiences. Which leads me to the second thing that is on my mind.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Oregon Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Convention in Redmond where it was my great honor to speak to attendees and see first hand the joy, curiosity, and deep engagement sparked by students’ involvement in this program. The FFA is one of many organizations in the state that provides students with opportunities to gain vital experience in an important field to help them plan for their future education and career. Students perform better in class and show up to school when they are engaged in learning and can see how what they learn is used in the real world. Getting to meet and talk with the FFA students was such a thrill and an opportunity to see the students apply leadership, life, and career skills through showing livestock, creating a marketing plan, identifying crops and other workplace challenges.

So many scholars are learning to lead through participating in this and similar organizations around the state. We must continue to sow these seeds and to tend them with care!

Click on the image to watch the video.

Dr. Williams address to 2024 FFA State Convention

A New Kind of Public School: Approved Recovery Schools

Establishing Oregon’s First Approved Recovery Schools

HB 2767 (2023) establishes a limited number of approved Recovery High Schools in Oregon. These schools, under an agreement with the Department of Education (ODE), will provide students with a specialized high school education experience, tailored to meet the needs of students with substance use and co-occurring behavioral health challenges. The new law requires standards for approval of recovery schools, and the operation of recovery schools to include; academic standards, substance use recovery services, graduation, program evaluation, and recovery school accreditation guidance. ODE may establish up to three (3) approved recovery schools for the 2024-25 school year and three more each biennium until there are a total of nine (9) schools.

What is the purpose of Recovery High Schools?

Recovery high schools serve several essential purposes in supporting students in recovery from substance use and co-occurring behavioral health challenges. These schools are a school of choice for students and are not to be used as placement options.

Safe and Supportive Environment: Recovery high schools provide a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on their recovery from substance use and pursue a traditional high school diploma without the pressures and triggers that may exist in traditional high school settings.
Academic Continuity: Recovery high schools ensure that students continue an educational path that leads to graduation, while receiving the necessary support and resources to address their substance use and co-occurring behavioral health care needs.
Comprehensive Services: Recovery high schools offer a comprehensive approach to recovery support, integrating substance use education, mental and behavioral health supports, and coping skills development into academic coursework.
Peer Support and Sense of Community: Recovery high schools provide a sense of community and belonging for students who may feel isolated or misunderstood in traditional high school settings. These communities are small by design to enhance bonds between students and enable staff to differentiate instruction and support to meet the student’s needs.
Long-Term Recovery Support: By addressing substance use and co-occurring behavioral health challenges early in adolescence, recovery high schools help students develop the skills, resources, and support networks they need to maintain long-term recovery and lead healthy, fulfilling lives beyond high school.

Who can open an approved recovery school?

Oregon School Districts, Oregon ESDs, and Oregon public charters are eligible to apply and operate an approved recovery school.

Where can I learn more about recovery high schools?

Please reach out to the Recovery Schools team with questions.

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For updated information, please subscribe to the Recovery Schools topic to receive email updates.

ODE Legislative Summary Released

The Oregon Department of Education’s 2024 Legislative Summary is now available! This document provides a final list of bills affecting K-12 education or ODE that made it through the legislative process. With the support of the Governor’s Office, ODE had significant success in achieving its legislative agenda, with the passage of two key bills—HB 4082 and SB 1532.

With the leadership of Rep. Susan McLain, ODE supported HB 4082, the Summer Learning bill. This legislation will elevate expanded learning programs and further the collaboration needed across the state to effectively administer summer and after school learning grants. Evidence-based practices and research on summer and after school learning show the impact of high-quality programs on increased student academic achievement, engagement, and well-being. HB 4082 embodies a strategic approach, providing immediate funding with a blueprint for lasting impact.

Thanks to Sen. Kayse Jama, Oregon’s immigrant and refugee students will have a plan to address the unmet needs for support within Oregon's education system. As our refugee and immigrant students settle in Oregon to either begin or continue their education, SB 1532 serves as a meaningful step forward to create an inclusive environment that fosters their growth and development. In implementing SB 1532, our state will empower these students to fulfill their potential, contribute to our society, and build a brighter future for all.

The bills passed this session under ODE’s urging will have positive impacts for the agency, districts, educators and most importantly, students. We are proud of the work we have accomplished, and we hope you are too.

Diploma Seal Reminder

Graduation is just around the corner! Oregon public school students who earn a 3.5 GPA or above are eligible for an honor diploma seal. Schools and or Districts are welcome to request diploma seals via phone call, email or fax to the ODE front desk. Contact information is provided on the request form which can be found under Additional Resources on the Oregon Diploma webpage.

ODE In the News

ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams sat down with KATU to talk about the moment of opportunity the Early Literacy Success Initiative presents for Oregon.
The Valley Times looked at how a CTE Revitalization Grant from ODE is helping Tigard High School start a cutting edge manufacturing lab.

New Data Briefs Reinforce Importance of Building Relationships

ODE is pleased to announce the publication of a series of new and less recent data briefs, examining data from the pilot administrations of the SEED survey around extracurricular access, student sense of belonging, and other constructs. These data briefs present quantitative data and qualitative data examining student experiences in Oregon schools. The briefs cover a range of topics, but one thread remains clear: building relationships matters.

Extracurricular Participation and Barriers

Examines data on the relationship between extracurricular participation and increased engagement, belonging, and attendance, alongside qualitative data examining reported student barriers to participating in extracurricular activities.

In Their Own Words

Examines qualitative responses to SEED’s open-ended question, offering an opportunity to hear directly from students on a wide range of issues that matter to them.

Student Sense of Belonging in Schools: Predictive Factors

Examines how demographic, grade level, and disciplinary factors are associated with a student’s sense of belonging, welcome, and being cared for within their school community, and offers a number of resources and best practices for increasing sense of belonging for all students and for specific focal populations.

Student Sense of Belonging in Schools: Connection to Outcomes

Details the clear and strong relationship between caring adults and student success: caring about students is fundamental to belonging and to academic excellence. Students who agreed that adults at their school care about them are substantially more likely to be regular attenders, and to be on-track to graduate, and that remains true even among students who report that they do not like going to school.

These briefs are part of a series of data briefs, variously available as part of the 2021-22 SEED Survey Results and as a part of the High School Success resources.

Purple Up! For Military Kids

April marks the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the resilience, sacrifices, and contributions of military-connected children. Did you know Oregon’s schools serve approximately 3,100 military-connected students spread across 115 of the 197 school districts? Their impact is felt in nearly all communities in Oregon.

The life of a military child is a unique blend of adventures and challenges. It's important to acknowledge their service to our country as part of a military family. Let's celebrate their bravery, pride, and strength together. Join us in honoring the incredible children who play a vital role in our nation's military families and in Oregon’s school communities, not just during April, but all year long.

To help you and your community recognize MOMC, ODE has compiled some resources:

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2016 and addresses key transition issues encountered by military families related to education. You can find more information for Oregon’s parents, school officials, and public administrators at the link above!
Month of the Military Child Toolkit: Download and utilize resources such as:
- Purple Up posters celebrating #PurpleUp day & military kids
- Yard Sign designs for local printing
- Certificates of Recognition for Military-connected Kids
- Templates for stickers
- A coloring page featuring Dandy Lion
- The 2024 MOMC T-shirt design
Purple Up Day: Wear purple on April 19th to celebrate military kids. Purple represents the joint environment of the military, combining the colors of all service branches. When we wear purple in their honor, we let them know we support them in all branches of the military - Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force.
Call for the Arts: Encourage military-connected children in your school community to participate in the MCEC Call for the Arts program. This program invites kids from all service branches to share their interpretations of what it means to be a military-connected child through art. Visit the Call for the Arts page for eligibility and guidelines.
Hashtags: Engage in discussions throughout April using #MOMC and #MonthoftheMilitaryChild. For Purple Up Day, use #PurpleUp to promote and celebrate in your area. Throughout the year, recognize military-connected kids and share their stories using #MCEC.

Let's come together to celebrate the unique challenges and triumphs of Oregon’s military-connected children. Your support and recognition mean the world to them and their families.

For more information on how to implement the military compact in your school district please reach out to Tenneal Wetherell.

New Email Address for the Educator Advancement Council

The Educator Advancement Council has a new email address! All official correspondence, communications and inquiries should be directed to eac.info@ode.oregon.gov. The EAC kindly requests your cooperation in updating your contact information and ensuring that all future communications are sent to the new email address.

Student Spotlight

OPB’s Think Out Loud program interviewed two students from the Oregon School for the Deaf who participated in the state finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition.
KGW talked with students at Clackamas HS who raised money to help immigrant and refugee families in Portland.
The state’s Future Farmers of America Convention held its first ever Spanish language FFA Creed Speaking Invitational competition and the Malheur Enterprise featured the 9th grade student at Ontario High School who won.