Medford, OR – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek introduced a new proposal on Monday aimed at addressing the state’s struggling public education system, following disappointing results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in January. The assessment revealed that Oregon’s fourth graders had some of the worst math and reading scores in the nation, ranking fourth from the bottom.
During a press conference, Kotek outlined House Bill 2009, which would require the Oregon Department of Education to study the adequacy of the state’s public education system. The bill is part of a broader effort to reform how Oregon assesses and supports its schools. Kotek acknowledged that many educators and parents were frustrated with the current system of state testing, which provides results too late in the school year to make meaningful changes.
“I know there’s a lot of frustration with some of the testing we do because it’s a big test, it happens, and you don’t see the results until after the end of the school year,” Kotek said. “I am proposing further support for our districts to use these interim assessments where during the school year they’re getting real-time understanding of where their students are so they can continue to work differently throughout the school year.”
In addition to House Bill 2009, Kotek announced a historic $11.36 billion investment in the State School Fund. The proposal also includes legislation aimed at providing districts with coaching, support, and up to 25% of their spending for targeted educational initiatives. Senate President Rob Wagner, a Democrat from Lake Oswego, praised the governor’s plan, emphasizing its focus on local control while still fostering statewide educational improvements.
“This builds on recent transformational investments in education,” Wagner said. “We’re focusing on making sure our schools have the support they need to succeed.”
However, the proposal has faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers, particularly Representative Dwayne Yunker of Grants Pass. Yunker, who represents Oregon’s District 3, called the governor’s plan “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and argued that more bureaucracy would not solve the problems facing Oregon’s schools.
“We need results, not bureaucracy,” Yunker said in a statement. “Taxpayer dollars should go to schools that prove they’re educating kids.”
Yunker is the chief sponsor of House Bill 3055, a bill that would require school districts to demonstrate improved test scores in order to receive state funding. He believes this approach would hold schools accountable and ensure that public funds are being used effectively.
Recent data from the Oregon Department of Education shows that only three of the 13 school districts in Southern Oregon exceeded the state average for English Language Arts proficiency during the 2023-2024 school year. This highlights the challenge facing Kotek’s administration, as it seeks to address performance disparities and improve student outcomes across the state.
The debate over how best to reform Oregon’s education system reflects broader national discussions about accountability, testing, and the balance between local control and state intervention. Governor Kotek’s proposal, if passed, could signal a shift in how Oregon approaches education reform, focusing on both timely assessments and substantial financial support for schools.