Where does education legislation stand with one week left in the short session?

The Oregon Legislature’s 2024 session is more than halfway complete.

Since Monday, Feb. 5, the Oregon House of Representatives and Senate have navigated and negotiated the “short session,” which occurs every other year and lasts for 35 days.

As updates trickle out of Salem, here’s a round-up of the education legislation making its way toward becoming law this session.

School bus stop-arm cameras

House Bill 4147 is poised for its third reading in the Senate on Friday, March 1. Carried by Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, HB 4147 allows Oregon school districts to equip their school buses with stop-arm cameras, like speeding radar, to ticket drivers who illegally pass school buses and endanger students. The bill passed the House on Monday, Feb. 19 and the idea was originally brought to the attention of Neron by a Wilsonville High School student.

School board transparency

Co-sponsored by Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, Senate Bill 1502 requires school boards of public school districts, community colleges and universities to video-record all of their meetings and upload these recordings online for the public to access.

"This bill will improve the transparency of our education boards, grant greater access to busy parents and community members, and promote equity by ensuring everyone can stay engaged," said Wagner. "I'm grateful to my Republican colleagues who worked with me to ensure this bill will improve transparency across the state without overburdening our small school districts."

The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and moved onto the House where it is currently in the education committee. The bill exempts school districts with fewer than 50 students.

Essential skills graduation requirement

House Bill 4095 is currently in the House Education Committee and establishes the “essential skills” requirement to receive a high school or modified diploma in Oregon. The proposed bill follows the Oregon State Board of Education’s decision to continue the suspension of the requirements until the 2027-28 school year. The essential skills requirement was originally established in 2008 and is measured by the Oregon Statewide Summative Assessment to test student proficiency in reading, writing and math.

School Medicaid Technical Advisory Committee

House Bill 4077 was referred to the joint committee on ways and means from the House Education Committee at the request of Neron. The bill establishes a means for school districts to use funds from the High Cost Disabilities Account for the disproportionately high costs and community impacts associated with special education and meeting all student needs. The bill also establishes the School Medicaid Technical Advisory Committee. This committee would study Medicaid in Oregon and other states to expand “billable services and provider types that are available to school districts to the greatest extent allowable under federal law.”

International Baccalaureate programs

House Bill 4137 closes gaps in graduation requirements so that students who complete the International Baccalaureate program can graduate without any obstacles. The bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to make sure students who complete the globally recognized and academically rigorous program can graduate in Oregon. The bill passed the House on Thursday, Feb. 15 and the Senate on Thursday, Feb. 29.

Education plan for asylum seekers and refugees

Senate Bill 1532 directs the Department of Education to create a statewide education plan for children of, or who are themselves, refugees or asylum seekers. The statewide plan would allow ODE to direct funds to help those groups improve educational outcomes. The bill was referred to the Senate education committee and then ways and means. The bill is awaiting its second reading on Friday, March 1.