October 2024 Education Update

Oregon Achieves... Together!

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

Dear Education Community,

The latest assessment data show that, as a state, we are still behind pre-pandemic performance levels overall. While this reality is not unique to our state, Oregon is still striving to catch up with its peers. Nationally, educators and policymakers are grappling with significant academic setbacks due to the disruptions of the past few years. These data points offer an opportunity to deepen and refine our efforts for continued recovery and growth, using this information as a catalyst to guide necessary reforms and resource allocation. While the data present a complex picture, it underscores the urgency of focused investments, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA), and acknowledges incremental gains in mathematics.

One critical factor influencing these academic outcomes is student attendance. Chronic absenteeism continues to undermine efforts to improve learning, and the link between attendance and achievement is undeniable. As we work toward academic recovery, we MUST prioritize strengthening our statewide effort around attendance.

I want to extend my gratitude to every person, organization, and business that is championing attendance efforts in their local school districts. As I witnessed when I toured Gladstone School District last month, when schools and communities show up for students, students show up for school.

The young scholars in your neighborhood need you. Your community needs you. Our state needs you. Ensuring that Oregon’s students get the most out of school starts with all of us working together—and that begins with creating conditions for students to show up.

Why Attendance Matters

Attendance isn’t just about being present—it’s a gateway to opportunity. It’s through consistent attendance that students unlock the life-changing potential of public education. From learning to read, to mastering a trade like welding, to forming bonds with friends, teachers, and coaches, these essential experiences can only happen when students, in every grade and from every background, are present and engaged.

The alignment with our department’s three priorities—Academic Excellence, Belonging and Wellness, and Reimagining Accountability—is clear. Students who attend school regularly are better positioned to excel academically. They can fully participate in initiatives like the research-based Early Literacy Success Initiative, which transforms young learners into readers, and career-oriented Career Technical Education programs, which help shape students into professionals. Moreover, attendance fosters a sense of belonging and supports wellness by connecting students to a community where they feel valued and supported.

By showing up in its most expansive sense, we create a space where students can experience love, justice, and hope—values that underpin our shared commitment to equitable and holistic education in Oregon.

The Barriers They Face

For many students, simply getting to class can be their greatest academic challenge. Young scholars continue to face barriers such as lack of reliable transportation, food and housing insecurity, or the responsibility of caring for younger siblings while parents work. These barriers are complex and can make attending school feel insurmountable.

What We Know Works

Community by community, school district by school district, we are rising to meet these challenges. Long-term improvements in attendance are rooted in collaboration and problem-solving with families. Successful strategies focus on building relationships and understanding the needs of students and families at a deep level.

For example, at Stanfield Elementary School in Umatilla County, school staff increased attendance more than 15 points above the state average. The school met families where they are—literally visiting their homes to understand the barriers they face and offer support. Similarly, through the Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP) program, Chiloquin Elementary in the Klamath County School District reduced chronic absenteeism more than seven percent by fostering a welcoming school environment that honored Klamath Tribal culture and language. By creating a sense of belonging, the school saw a significant increase in regular attendance, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native students.

These efforts demonstrate that when we prioritize belonging and wellness, academic success follows.

What You Can Do

Attendance is a cause that transcends individual schools and communities. From Astoria to Ontario, we all have a role to play in cultivating the conditions that encourage students not only to show up, but to thrive in their educational experiences. I encourage you to connect with your local school district or the attendance experts at ODE’s Every Day Matters team to learn how you can support your community’s attendance efforts.

Together, we can inspire hope, practice justice, and lead with love to ensure that every Oregon scholar has the opportunity to succeed.

Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year is Bryan Butcher Jr. of Beaumont Middle School

In an exciting surprise announcement October 2, Bryan Butcher Jr., a Beaumont Middle School math teacher, was named and celebrated as Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year!

“Bryan exemplifies the impact committed teachers can have on students’ lives,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “From helping each of his students learn math in the way that works for them, to creating the Black Student Union at his school, teachers like Bryan go above and beyond to make Oregon schools a place where students not only learn, but feel a sense of safety, belonging, and pride. I’m thrilled to see his hard work being honored.”

Bryan Butcher Jr. is a Portland native and Grant High School graduate. He attended Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following graduation, Butcher joined Teach for America, and thus began a teaching journey which would eventually lead him to Beaumont Middle School, where he has taught math for the past eight years. When visiting Butcher’s classroom, you will see a thriving community of learners who are working together. With the guiding principles of respect and effort, Butcher believes maintaining high standards and expectations creates the conditions for students to flourish. Respect and effort provide an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and taking risks. In Butcher’s class, there is an expectation and joy that comes from learning, everyday.

“Bryan Butcher Jr. is not only an educator and an advocate, he is a champion for his students,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “This is a teacher who has engaged creatively with students and his community, learned enthusiastically from his colleagues, and carved out unique spaces for students to feel seen, heard, and valued. Mr. Butcher seeks to build confidence in his students by demystifying mathematical concepts and grounding his classroom culture in effort, respect, and a willingness to take academic risks. It is clear that Mr. B is beloved in his community because he prioritizes not only academic excellence but also the well-being of his students.”

“My goal is to instill a sense of pride and acknowledgement in my students that they have already built the foundation to be successful,” Butcher said in his application. “Every year, I strive to create a classroom culture where rapport leads to learning.”

The Oregon Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. Butcher was celebrated as a Regional Teacher of the Year in September, and will receive a $10,000 cash award as the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year. A matching $5,000 is also awarded to Beaumont Middle School.

“It’s impressive to see how Bryan Butcher Jr. has built trust and genuine connections with students and his community,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We’re proud to celebrate his ability to help students overcome challenges, while meeting them with grace and encouragement.”

The Oregon Teacher of the Year is selected after an extensive application process. Nominees from schools throughout Oregon submitted packets of information including testimonials and letters of support from administrators, students and colleagues. From the written material, applicants were assessed on leadership, instructional expertise, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, professional development and vision.

As the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year, Butcher will serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers. He will also receive year-long professional development and networking with other state Teachers of the Year through the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program.

Butcher was one of 18 Regional teachers of the Year announced in September. You can find out more about them here.

Do you know an outstanding teacher? Please nominate them as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.

Signs of Stress and Distress Materials Now Available in Additional Languages

Children and adolescents increasingly report feeling the effects of stress in their lives. Depending on their age, personality, developmental stage and environment, how they respond can vary widely.

ODE’s Mental Health team has created resources to recognize the signs of chronic stress and distress and provide practical strategies for offering help and support. Broken down by age group, Signs of Distress and Chronic Stress in Youth, is now available in nine different languages.

More mental health guidance and resources can be found on the ODE website. Please reach out to the Mental Health team with any questions.

The Nightmare Factory Is Now Open!

It’s Oregon’s longest running haunted house and it’s back for another season! The Nightmare Factory started in 1987 as a fundraiser for the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) and has continued ever since. Held on the grounds of the school and run by current and former OSD students, the Nightmare Factory runs every Friday and Saturday night in October and is also open on Halloween, the night before and special “Pitch Black” editions the Friday and Saturday after Halloween. There are new ways to experience the Nightmare Factory, so check out their website for more information and how to get your tickets!

To keep up with all the latest happenings at the Oregon School for the Deaf, check out the latest Panther Pulse newsletter and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Resources Available to Help With School Safety

ODE offers two programs to assist you with school safety concerns.

The School Safety and Emergency Management program provides training and technical assistance to school districts on the development and implementation of high-quality Emergency Operations Plans. To receive monthly updates on SSEM-related topics, sign up for the monthly newsletter here.

The School Safety and Prevention System helps schools with safety-based crisis interventions, suicide prevention services, or other behavioral safety assessments that promote a positive school culture and climate. You can find and connect with your local School Safety and Prevention System representative at the SSPS contact page here.

Strategies for Boosting Attendance and Supporting Student Health and Well-being

With Attendance Awareness Month now over, our Oregon Healthy Schools team wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the many strategies that schools are employing in order to strengthen regular attendance and support student health and well-being. As we all know, regular attendance has many benefits for students: higher graduation rates, better academic outcomes, more participation in activities, higher social engagement and better relationships with teachers and staff. We are excited to share a few proven strategies to positively impact student attendance and school culture that are being used in Oregon schools:

Participating in school breakfast programs and Breakfast After the Bell. Studies show that universal school breakfast program participation is associated with higher rates of attendance and that older students in particular benefit from programs like Breakfast After the Bell.
Partnering with Safe Routes to School (SRTS) to support students walking, biking and rolling to school. Getting to school can be a challenge for many families and is the first step in supporting regular attendance. SRTS can help by providing info and resources on walking school buses, bike buses, and education around safely walking and rolling to school.
Increasing the number of full-time school nurses. School nurses play a vital role in schools and in addition to supporting student health and well-being, research shows that increasing the number of school nurses can also reduce rates of chronic absenteeism.
Cultivating a culture of attendance and engaging families in the process. Sending out text messages directly to families encouraging their students to attend school has been shown to be especially effective.
Supporting student mental health and fostering a positive school climate through Transformative Social Emotional Learning (TSEL). Creating a school culture that fosters a sense of belonging and centers student voice has been shown to boost attendance rates and support student health and well-being.

While chronic absenteeism is an incredibly complex issue, common barriers to regular attendance include trauma, illness, family challenges, housing issues, lack of transportation, and inequitable access to resources. Keeping these roadblocks to regular attendance in mind allows us to come up with effective solutions that reflect the wide array of reasons that students may miss school.

If you have any questions about any of these strategies or would like additional tools and resources to support your school district, please reach out! We would love to hear from you.

Celebrating Winter Holidays

Every November and December, public school students, parents, teachers and administrators are presented with the opportunity to celebrate all the various religious and cultural holiday traditions celebrated during that time of year. While there are appropriate educational benefits to teaching about the diverse religious traditions and cultures of our country, school officials must be thoughtful about being inclusive and ensure they do not give students the impression that one set of holidays or beliefs is more important or more acceptable than others. Prominently featuring a holiday symbol associated with a single religious tradition is not an inclusive practice.

Be accurate and sensitive

Religious and cultural holidays offer excellent opportunities to teach about culture, religion and their historical importance. During the winter season and especially in December, we celebrate:

Diwali (depends on the Hindu Lunar calendar, it is October 31 this year)
Hanukkah (depends on the Hebrew calendar, it starts on December 25 this year)
Winter Solstice (December 21)
Christmas (December 25)
Kwanzaa (December 26)
Three Kings Day (January 6)
Ramadan (depends on Islamic calendar and periodically aligns with winter holidays—next time is 2030).
Lailat al Mraj (Shab-e-Meraj) (depends on Islamic calendar and periodically aligns with winter holidays, will be January 27, 2025).

Be aware that some religions teach that celebrating holidays and birthdays is unacceptable

Children should always be permitted not to participate and should have the opportunity to engage in other optional, enjoyable activities. Consider activities that include all children.

Do not make assumptions

Children in our public schools represent a myriad of religions, cultures and traditions. Within those groups, not all members of the same cultural or religious group necessarily observe the same holidays or celebrate them in the same way. Many children, being multi-denominational and/or multiracial, commemorate more than one holiday.

Be inclusive

Winter holiday school activities such as assemblies, choral presentations and plays should be inclusive.

National School Lunch Week Is Almost Here!

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of Child Nutrition Programs in schools to coincide with National School Lunch Week (October 14-18). We invite school board members and superintendents to eat with students during the week of October 14-18 to experience their nutritious and appealing local school lunches.

Encourage your school board to participate by planning lunch with students that week. All they need to do is reach out to school nutrition staff and building administrators before their visit. They are encouraged to post to social media about their experience using the #NSLW24inOR hashtag and the ODE (@ORDeptEd) and OSBA (@OSBANews) X handle.

ODE In the News

The Columbia Gorge News congratulated ODE Education Specialist Sam Ko for being the first The Next Door Inc. Community Partner Award winner.
KPTV in Portland spoke with ODE Director of Mental Health B. Grace Bullock, Ph.D., about the key considerations for parents and students as scholars return to school.
The Columbia County Spotlight showed how a CTE Revitalization Grant from ODE is helping Scappoose High School students learn the ins and outs of broadcasting.
Ed Surge highlighted the Phoenix-Talent School District and ODE’s Jumpstart Kindergarten Program in a story on improving kindergarten readiness.

Student Spotlight

The Coos Bay World detailed how elementary students in North Bend are helping improve the local watershed.
The Columbia Community Connection highlighted the work of the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub in supporting summer internships for students to experience career-connected learning.
The Salem Reporter talked with the students advising the Salem-Keizer School Board for this school year.
The Nugget Newspaper in Sisters featured a Sisters HS student who created a curriculum to help his peers learn about broadcasting and video production.