Policy Resources and Links

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Federal Resources

American Federation of Teachers (AFT): The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. It is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO.
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): The Council of Chief State School Officers is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
Department of Education, U.S. (DOE): The U.S. Department of Education was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. Its original directive remains its mission today-to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation.
Ed Week: Ed Week is an on-line and email publication of educational-related media items, job listings, and grant opportunities. Free registration is required.
Education Commission of the States (ECS): Education Commission of the States is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization involving key leaders from all levels of the education system, ECS creates unique oppportunities to build partnerships, share information and promote the development of policy based on available research and strategies.
Education Resources Information Center (ERIC): ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center - is the online digital library of education research and information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides access to an expansive body of education literature (1966-present) to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.
Educational Testing Service (ETS): Educational Testing Service was founded in 1947 when the American Council on Education, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the College Entrance Examination Board contributed their testing programs, a portion of their assets, and key employees to form ETS. ETS was created in recognition that, after years of advocacy by Harvard President James Conant and other education leaders, a single organization devoted to research and assessment could significantly contribute to the advancement of education. These founding principles guide ETS today.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA): The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 was reauthorized in December 2015 and is now commonly referred to as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): This bipartisan measure reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as "the nation's report card", is a national testing program administered by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education. Since 1969, NAEP tests have been conducted periodically in reading, math, science, writing, history, and geography. The NAEP main assessment allows for regional and state-by-state comparisons of the educational attainment of 4th, 8th, and 12th grade students.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): National Center for Education Statistics is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education in the United States and other nations.
National Education Association (NEA): The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization and is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 2.7 million members work at every level of education, from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affilate organizations in every state, as well as in more than 14,000 local communities across the United States.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB): Historical information on No Child Left Behind, including the Act and policy, and the Obama Administration's blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Office of Management and Budget assists the President in the development and execution of his policies and programs. OMB has a hand in the development and resolution of all budget, policy, legislative, regulatory, procurement, e-gov, and management issues on behalf of the President.
Public Education Network (PEN): Public Education Network is a national association of local education funds (LEFs) and individuals working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country.

Oregon Resources

Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA): The Confederation of Oregon School Administrators represents more than 2,000 member school administrators throughout Oregon. These are the leaders of Oregon's public schools and education service districts.
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR): The Oregon Attorney General's Administrative Law Manual defines "rule" to include "directives, standards, regulations or statements of general applicability that implement, interpret or prescribe law or policy or describe the agency's procedure or practice requirements."
Oregon Business Council (OBC): The Oregon Business Council is an association of more than 40 top business executives focused on public issues that affect Oregon's life and future. Founded in 1985, OBC is patterned after the national Business Roundtable and affiliate organizations in a number of other states.
Oregon Education Association (OEA): The Oregon Education Association's mission works to assure quality public education for every student in Oregon by providing a strong, positive voice for school employees. OEA represents about 43,000 educators working in Oregon's pre-K through grade 12 public schools and community colleges. OEA's membership includes licensed teachers and specialists, education support professionals, community college faculty, retired educators, and student members.
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS): The Oregon Revised Statutes are the codified laws of the State of Oregon. The ORS is published every two years. Each edition incorporates all laws, and changes to laws, enacted by the Legislative Assembly through the odd-numbered year regular session referenced in the volume titles for that edition.
Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA): Founded in 1946, OSBA is a non-profit association whose purpose is to support board members in their complex leadership roles. The association does this through a variety of services, from board member training and executive searches to policy services, publications and legislative advocacy.
Oregon State Board of Education: The Oregon Legislature created the State Board of Education in 1951. The Board sets educational policies and standards for Oregon's 197 public school districts, 17 community college districts and 21 educational service districts. All of these agencies have separate governing bodies responsible for transacting business within their jurisdiction.
Quality Education Commission (QEC): The Quality Education Commission 2000 was appointed by Governor John Kitzhaber and State School Superintendent Stan Bunn in November 1999 to validate and refine the Oregon Quality Education Model (QEM). The model is helping lawmakers establish the costs of providing the education programs necessary for Oregon's children to meet the goals of the Education Act of the 21st Century. The Commission meets every second legislative session to address the current needs of Oregon's educational system.
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC): Teacher Standards and Practices Commission ensures that every student in Oregon is taught by caring, competent and ethical educators.