When an agency proposes to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule, it shall give interested persons reasonable opportunity to submit data or views.
Email comments to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
ODE holds public hearings by video conference using Zoom. The hearing will be recorded for permanent record. The hearing officer will open the hearing and read the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) number and its intention or purpose. The hearing officer will ask those in attendance for oral testimony. Those individuals will be heard. If there is written testimony at this time, please submit it to the hearing officer. To find presentations on proposed rules, you may find video recordings of the presentation online on
BoardBook.
The hearing officer will adjourn the public hearing and will not respond to questions. After the close of the public hearing, the hearing officer will prepare a report for ODE staff.
2025
Public Hearing Information - April 22nd at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education heard the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on March 13, 2025, or, will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on April 10, 2025. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on April 22, 2025, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the April 22nd public hearing by video conference. You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
Attend a State Board of Education meeting and provide public comment. Information on board meetings and providing public comment is available on the State Board Meetings web page.
Submit your comments in writing to the ODE Rules Coordinator.
Submit your comments to the State Board of Education.
Contact ODE’s Rules Coordinator if you have questions about the hearing.
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the April 10, 2025, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
RULES REVISION NOTICE: REGIONAL EDUCATOR NETWORK (REN) RULES
Fiscal Impact Statement: Regional Educator Networks (RENs) receives more than $42.6 million in funds across the state. Reducing administrative burden with the Request for Application (RFA) process and streamlining reporting processes will reduce the administrative impact on Sponsoring Organizations and districts who receive services and supports for RENs.
Statement of Need: The Regional Educator Network (REN) administrative rules were first adopted by the State Board of Education in 2019. Since first launching, there has been significant learning about how the statewide program has been implemented and the need to revise the REN administrative rules to ensure responsive processes and procedures to REN needs that include further clarifying roles and responsibilities required for effective implementation, allowable expenditures for grant funds, and processes for selection sponsoring organizations, REN reporting, REN plan approval, and member organization engagement.
RULES REVISION NOTICE: FUND ADMINISTRATION CHANGES TO THE STUDENT INVESTMENT ACCOUNT, HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS RULE, AND EARLY LITERACY FUND ADMINISTRATION
Fiscal Impact Statement: The fiscal and economic impact allows full Student Investment Account (SIA) biennial allocation to be spent through the end of the biennium providing less barriers to funding access.
Statement of Need: These rule updates are needed:
To codify fund administration when charter closes (technical fix)
To make SIA funds available for full biennium (technical fix)
To calculate allocation biennially
RULE REVISION NOTICE: EARLY LITERACY SUCCESS SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANT RULES
Fiscal Impact Statement: This will create a minimal fiscal impact to school districts, as matching grant language is being removed as grant matching will not be available. Specifically, the 25% grant matching will no longer be offered.
Statement of Need: The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is proposing to change Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) language based on ODE feedback cycles during the jumpstart biennium (2023- 2025). Most of these rule changes are technical in nature to provide clarity for grant implementation and administration. These changes will ensure a smooth transition into the next biennium (2025-2027) of the grant implementation and administration.
NEW PROPOSED RULE NOTICE: ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT (ESEA) EQUITABLE SERVICES COMPLAINT PROCESS
Fiscal Impact Statement: These rules are not expected to have a fiscal and economic impact.
Statement of Need: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires each state to have a state-level complaint process in place for equitable service programs. A written policy has been in place since at least 2016. As per Oregon’s Department of Justice (DOJ), for the complaint process to be enforceable by the ODE, it must be a state rule.
NEW PROPOSED RULE NOTICE: AUDIT AND OTHER FINANCIAL APPEALS - SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ACT
Fiscal Impact Statement: The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has requested funding limitation in the early session bill from the legislature to address underpayments.
Statement of Need: In March 2018 there was a change in federal law, which went unnoticed by all stakeholders until April 2022. This change impacted the State School Fund (SSF) and what is considered Local Revenue in the SSF Formula for school years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. The current rule allows for a 5-yr review, so SY 2017-18 review will expire on June 30, 2024. As a result we needed a temporary rule to expand the look back period to encompass the change in federal law from 2018 in order for ODE and school districts to assess the potential impact of the unaltered formula on the SSD in their respective districts between 2018-2021. The Department is seeking a permanent rule with the same language except to add a sunset clause in order to ensure that a rule is in place to address this issue to completion.
PROPOSED RULE REPEAL NOTICE: SCHOOL DISTRICT AUDIT STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS BY FUND
Fiscal Impact Statement: Removal of OAR 581-023-0037 would no longer require districts to provide an additional attachment within the audit report that details district revenues and expenditures. This information is collected through data uploads that occur on an annual basis. This rule removes some labor for school districts.
Statement of Need: The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has identified that the audit summary is duplicative and can be retired without compromising the comprehensiveness of the data we currently collect. The audit statement of revenue and expenditure accounts by fund rule was established prior to ODE's ability to collect financial data digitally from districts. This is duplicative information to what districts already submit. The FTU can just as easily use traditional audited financial statements to verify submitted data: Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance, and the Budget to Actual statements.Public Hearing Information - March 18th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education heard the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on February 13, 2025. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on March 18, 2025, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the March 18th public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the April 10, 2025, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook
approximately one week prior to each meeting.
TECHNICAL FIX: SCHOOL BUS DRIVER’S CERTIFICATE AND PERMIT
Statement of Need: This is a technical fix to align certificate issuance rules with physical examination rules approved and adopted by the State Board of Education on October 17, 2024.
Public Hearing Information - February 18th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on February 13, 2025, or, were heard on January 16, 2025. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook
approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on February 18, 2025, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the February 18th public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference.
To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the March 13, 2025, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook
approximately one week prior to each meeting.
Note: The link above directs you to the currently filed temporary rule on minimum standards for sign language interpreters in schools. There is no additional proposed rule language beyond what is currently filed. This rule update simply files the temporary revisions as permanent.
To view the rule prior to the temporary rule language, you may find that filing here.
Statement of Need: The Health Licensing office is now required to create and uphold a system for Sign Language interpreters in education. They have not completed their process and we need to remove a requirement of an HLO license until they finish. This temporary rule revision will remove the HLO license requirement for 180 days, which will give more time for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to adopt rules for the OHA to provide licenses.
Note: The link above directs you to the currently filed rules within Chapter 581, Division 49, of the Oregon Department of Education. These rules are available for reference only, as these rules are in the process of being repealed.
Statement of Need: Previously, Division 49 rules were needed for standards for the accreditation of emergency medical technology education and training programs. Legislation and rulemaking relating to the need for these rules have been transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Note: The link above directs you to the proposed rule draft from the January 16, 2025, first reading of the State Board of Education.
Statement of Need: When performing the last technical change, one of this rule's sections became unclear. This rule's technical change does not impact what the rule does, just provides more clear language. Specifically, the proposed rule revisions help clarify modified diploma rule requirements for before, and after, January 1, 2027.
Public Hearing Information - January 16th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on January 16, 2025. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on January 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the January 21, 2025, public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the February 13, 2025, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
Statement of Need: HB 2275 (2023) revised ORS 340, which governs accelerated college credit, sometimes called accelerated learning, in Oregon.
ORS 340 establishes three grants: Accelerated College Credit Instructor Grant Program, Accelerated College Credit Planning Partnership Grant Program, and Accelerated College Credit Partnership Enhancement Grant Program.
The change made to ORS 340 by HB 2275 gives ODE the legislative authority to offer these grants in the absence of a budget note related to the Accelerated Learning budget line.
These grants help build the capacity of districts, educational service districts, and post-secondary institutions to offer college credit in high school. Equitable access to these opportunities is a key metric for many ODE programs, including CTE/Perkins and High School Success. Only the Accelerated College Credit Instructor Grant Program has been offered, once during the 2019-2021 biennium.
In order to implement section 11 of HB 2275, ODE needs to create or revise rules for all three of the grant programs.
Statement of Need: SB 1552 (2024) creates the juvenile justice education fund, target level funding, a legislative report each biennium, and an appeal process which will be added to 581-015-2940.
Statement of Need: These rules need to be updated to clarify tribal grant funding.
Statement of Need: Over several years of implementing the Intensive Program, ODE staff have received feedback about it from invited districts, participating districts, contracted stewards working directly with participating districts, and ODE's Office of Indian Education. In response to this feedback, ODE staff are proposing several changes to rule language.
2024
Public Hearing Information - December 17th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on December 5, 2024. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on December 17, 2024, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the December 17th public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the January 16, 2025, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
Statement of Need: SB 283 (2023) Section 4 directs ODE to annually administer a survey of the education workforce, and for the State Board to adopt standards for the survey in consultation with the Educator Advancement Council.
Statement of Need: The passage of House Bill (HB) 4124 (2022) required the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to review challenges and develop solutions to the transfer of student education records. A committee of interested partners was assembled as required by the bill. The 4124 Committee examined in detail the complexities surrounding the transfer of student records in the state, highlighting significant issues including delays in both receiving and in sending student records, as well as challenges with storage and distribution of both electronic and paper student records. These rule fixes are designed to address one of the identified challenges. Clarifies educational agencies transferal of student records in a digital format. This also allows districts to remain with current paper processes if that is their process.
Public Hearing Information - November 19th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on October 17, 2024. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on November 19, 2024, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the November 19, 2024, public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the December 5, 2024, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
PROPOSED RULE REVISION: INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE AND OREGON DIPLOMA
Proposed rule language on the International Baccalaureate and Oregon Diploma is linked here
Statement of Need: HB 4137 (2023) seeks to recognize the academic value of completing an International Baccalaureate program, and to ease the burden on students and families that completing all Oregon Diploma in addition to all International Baccalaureate requirements can create.
TEMPORARY-TO-PERMANENT RULEMAKING: THE IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE STUDENT SUCCESS ACT
Proposed rule language on the Immigrant & Refugee Student Success Act is linked here
Statement of Need: The purpose of coming before the Oregon Department of Education State Board of Education is to share proposed permanent rules for the Immigrant and Refugee Student Success Plan that is to be established under Senate Bill 1532 (2024). Areas that are addressed in these permanent rules are: the temporary OARs for Definitions; Establishment; Eligibility; Criteria; Funding; Reporting. During the 2024 legislative session, the Oregon Department of Education was provided $4M is GIA per biennium, with $2M in funding provided for the last year of the 23-25 biennium through Senate Bill 1532. This funding will establish a grant program which supports the implementation of the Immigrant and Refugee Student Success Plan strategies. The requested adoption of permanent rule sets will allow for the grant program's establishment and implementation. This permanent rule language is rooted in three community engagement sessions and internal ODE review. OEDI is seeking the adoption of permanent rules. This is the first time that this rule set is being presented for permanent rule adoption. Temporary rules were effective on June 14, 2024 and expire on December 10, 2024.
TEMPORARY-TO-PERMANENT RULEMAKING: PILOT GRANT TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES OF FOSTER CARE STUDENTS
Proposed rule language on the Pilot Grant to Improve Educational Outcomes of Foster Care Students is linked here
Statement of Need: The timeline established by HB 4084 (2024) required that participating districts receive grant funds by July 1, 2024, which constituted an immediate need for temporary rules to be passed. These rules were intended to aid the selected schools in their implementation of the Pilot Program. Because this program will be sun setting in June of 2025, these rules need to be permanent so the selected schools may continue to be guided by them in their implementation of this program.
TECHNICAL FIX: FUND ADMINISTRATION RULES
Proposed rule language on the Fund Administration technical rule fixes are linked here
Statement of Need: Current rules allow grantees to utilize funds from these grant programs from one biennium to the next. This practice is not allowed and therefore we need to amend the administrative rule.
Public Hearing on Proposed Rules: September 17th at 3:00 PM
The State Board of Education will hear the following administrative rule proposals as first reads on September 19, 2024 at 9am. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting.
ODE will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on September 17, 2024, at 3pm. The ODE Hearings Officer will conduct the September 17, 2024, public hearing by video conference.
You can join by video conference. To join by phone, dial (Toll Free): 1 669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 593 5586.
We welcome your comments on the proposed rules. If you would like to submit public comment on the proposed rules, you may:
The State Board will vote on the proposed rules at the October 17, 2024, meeting. State Board materials are posted to the State Board's online
BoardBook approximately one week prior to each meeting. Below, you will find the proposed rules scheduled for the public hearing:
PROPOSED RULE REVISION: ATHLETE AGENT CERTIFICATE HEARING PROCESS
Proposed rule language on the Athlete Agent Certificate Hearing Process is linked here
Statement of Need: Aligning the appeal process in rule with other classified fingerprinting appeal processes for clarity and departmental efficiency.
PROPOSED NEW RULES & REPEALING RULES: COMPLAINTS
Proposed rule language on the Complaint Rules are linked here
Statement of Need: Currently, the Oregon Department of Education takes on appeal complaints alleging discrimination, restraint, seclusion, retaliation, and violations of educational standards codified in OAR Chapter 581, Division 022 (Division 022 standards). The department has identified several areas where its current appeals procedures (set forth in OAR 581-002-0001 to 581-002-0023) need to improve, including that (1) the procedures are not as timely or efficient as they need to be; and (2) complaints alleging violations of Division 022 standards require different investigatory procedures and remedies than other types of complaints. With those considerations in mind, the proposed rules would enact two major changes. First, the proposed rules would require the department to immediately order corrective action after concluding an investigation as opposed to allowing the parties an opportunity to settle the matter. Importantly, the parties would still be able to settle the matter at any time before the department concludes its investigation. Second, the proposed rules create a different process for complaints alleging violations of Division 022 standards than for appeals of complaints alleging discrimination, restraint, seclusion, or retaliation.
Even though many elements of the existing procedures would remain the same as those set forth in current OAR 581-002-0001 to 581-002-0023, the clearest way to write these proposals – given the number of changes that need to be made – is to repeal the existing rules and write new rules. The clearest way to codify the proposed rules is to create a new division within OAR Chapter 581 that is specific to complaint and appeals processes: OAR Chapter 581, Division 075.
PROPOSED RULES REVISION: PUPIL TRANSPORTATION RULES
Proposed rule language on the Pupil Transportation Rules are linked here
Statement of Need: Lack of clarity on established departmental requirements and technical alignments based on conversations with district partners; new legislation for camera equipment for school buses.
PROPOSED NEW RULE: SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF STIPEND GRANTS
Proposed rule language on the Special Education Staff Stipend Grants are linked here
Statement of Need: In order to implement the intent of SB 5506, rules need to be created to frame these stipends.
These rules are primarily technical as the legislative intent is simple and has been made clear to us for these one-time funds.
ODE’s/EAC’s role in this is to facilitate the logistical work of getting the stipends out to educators.
PROPOSED TECHNICAL FIX FILINGS
Proposed rule language on fixing filing errors can be found here
Statement of Need: Some rules passed earlier this year (2024) had some filing errors and are returning to the State Board of Education for approval to fix the errors. Please click the link above to review minor rule language revisions.