Overview
The Legislature allocated funding to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) for providing one-time payments to Oregon’s special education staff in the 2024-25 school year. The purpose of these funds are to recognize the critical services staff provide to students served by Oregon’s public special education programs, as well as to support retention of qualified special education professionals.
The source of this funding is the state of Oregon’s General Fund.
Senate Bill 5506 (2023) directed ODE to request funding in the interim Legislative Session, eventually allocated through
SB 5701 (2024), for $8.9 million to provide stipends to licensed educators and classified school employees working in special education during the 2024-2025 school year. The definitions of special education staff found in
Section 5 of SB 283 (2023) inform ODE’s understanding of the types of qualifying staff under the law. On October 17, 2024, the State Board of Education adopted administrative rules to implement the stipend program (OAR 581-017-1000).
For questions regarding this grant, please
email the SPED Stipends Grant Staff.
Program Summary
The following document provides guidance and instructions for eligible grantees.
Application
The following links can be used to apply for the grant funds. Due Date: 5PM on January 13, 2025
Program Announcements and Updates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Grant Timeline
- November 15, 2024: Application form opens and is emailed to all eligible entities.
- January 13, 2025: Application form closes at 5PM.
- January 31, 2025: Stipend amount determined and award amounts released.
- February 3 - May 30, 2025: Grant agreements issued and signed, and EGMS claims can be submitted (after grant agreement is signed).
- June 30, 2025: Final date to issue stipends to qualifying staff.
- July 31, 2025: Final date to submit proof of stipend payments and EGMS claims to ODE.