Oregon Department of Education looking for student advisors

High school juniors who are interested in learning about how education and government intersect can apply for positions at the Oregon Department of Education.

The Oregon State Board of Education will appoint a student board advisor, while the ODE Rules Advisory Committee is looking for a student rule advisor. Both positions start work at their respective August meetings and end in July 2025. The roles are open to all Oregon high school juniors (seniors during the 2024-25 school year) interested in leadership, education policy, state politics and making a difference. Student advisors are expected to attend monthly meetings and contribute their perspectives.

Applications for both positions are open now at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/77ea9b8c78cd4e5394b6d881e4d219cf . They will remain open until the positions are filled.

The State Board of Education includes seven members who are appointed by the governor and approved by the Oregon state Senate. The Board of Education votes on statewide education policies and practices to ensure that all Oregon students receive equal and equitable education.

The student advisor to the Board of Education attends meetings and aids the board members in reviewing their agenda items and requests. Along with the teacher advisor, school board advisor and board administrator, the student board advisor represents the voice of the group whom the board advocates for: students.

The student rule advisory helps the ODE Rules Advisory Committee, which assists with developing new administrative rules after the passage of the Student Success Act in 2019. In Oregon, administrative rules are created by committees, boards and other groups “to implement and interpret their statutory authority.” This helps ODE staff develop and implement new administrative rules that are established through legislation, for example, if the legislature directs ODE to create a new study, the rules advisory committee would help develop the language and structure for that study. The student rule advisor attends monthly rules advisory committee meetings and participates “in group discussions regarding the development and impact of Oregon Administrative Rules,” according to a press release from ODE.