SB 987 - Removes sunset on certain pilot education service districts. Allows existing pilot education service districts to organize as shared governance education service districts. A task force will be meeting this spring to review the work of ESDs generally, and to develop legislation for the 2011 session. SB 987 allows current ESDs to remain status quo until that comprehensive legislation is passed. Senate Education & General Government Committee

SB 988 - Creates Task Force on School Reform. Directs task force to study reform of kindergarten through grade 12 public education and make recommendations for reform.
Declares emergency, effective on passage. Senate Education & General Government Committee

SB 1048 - Establishes Oregon Teacher Effectiveness and Career Enhancement Initiative Program within Department of Education. The bill is an initiative of the Chalkboard Project, and is intended to create a framework for any Oregon school district to apply for federal grant money. To apply, a school district must demonstrate a commitment to implement the following:

• Expanded career paths for teachers;
• Effective performance evaluation systems;
• Relevant professional development;
• New compensation models.

Chalkboard states that they do not intend to pass a bill in February; rather, they hope to start a conversation about the merits of the above goals and the results the organization has achieved in certain school districts.


HB 3619 - Establishes Task Force on Education Career Preparation and Development. Task force will look for ways to improve the effectiveness of school teachers, administrators and counselors by building stronger connections between higher education teacher training programs and school districts. Representative Betty Komp (D-Salem)

HB 3628 - Authorizes Superintendent of Public Instruction to enter into contract for purpose of ensuring that Chinese language is available to public school students.
Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem)

HB 3635 - Allows public school to create innovation plan or group of public schools to create group innovation plan. To qualify, innovations should be focused on the following:

• School staffing;
• Curriculum, teaching methods and student assessment (including graduation requirements);
• Class scheduling and use of time;
• Use of financial resources;
• Teacher recruitment, employment, evaluation, and professional development;
• Strategies to engage parents in students' learning.

Representative David Edwards (D-Hillsboro)

LC 15 - Implements legislation recommended by the Online Learning Task Force created by the 2009 session. Task force recommendations are designed to address the issues of governance, funding, accountability, quality and equitable access to online learning across Oregon.