Posts Tagged ‘Education’

Reducing Class Sizes and Stopping Teacher Layoffs Among Key Objectives

(SALEM) — As Oregon’s students return to classes this month, Oregon Senate Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Oregon public schools.

In the upcoming 2013 Legislative Session, Senate Democrats will work to ensure education and other critical services remain top investment priorities, Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum said.

“We need to stop increasing class sizes and put a stop to teacher layoffs so that we can prepare Oregon students for the future,” said Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “As Oregon’s economy continues to recover, we must put first things first and prioritize education funding. That’s exactly what Senate Democrats will do in the upcoming session.”

“Educators have done their part to help us get through this recession. They’ve taken furloughs. They’ve taught bigger classes. In every school district across the state, our public school teachers have been forced to do more with less,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “Going forward we must be committed to giving educators the support they need. Education equals opportunity. We cannot let this generation of Oregon students get left behind.”

In addition to supporting strong investment in K-12 schools, pre-kindergarten and higher education, Senate Democrats will focus on increasing available job skills training to make sure Oregonians can compete for secure, good-paying jobs. Initiatives in this area include strengthening links between Oregon’s community colleges and their local businesses, as well as increasing opportunities for apprenticeships and vocational training.

“Improving Oregon’s workforce training programs will not only help people prepare for good jobs, but it will also jump-start our state’s economy,” said Senator Rosenbaum. “It’s important to remember that whether it’s investing in a new teacher at a local school or funding a new apprenticeship program, better education means more job creation.”

The Senate Democrats are hard at work creating their 2013 Caucus Agenda, which will serve as a framework for advancing priority legislation that supports all Oregonians. Rosenbaum said the caucus will continue to preview themes from their 2013 Caucus Agenda as the session nears.

End-of-session report details policy successes in a wide range of areas

SALEM – Senate Democrats released today summaries of their accomplishments for the 2011 legislative session. The issue areas span a range of topics including Helping Oregon Families, Jobs and Economic Development, Health Care, Education, Public Safety, and several other important policy areas.

“Oregon Senate Democrats faced the state’s financial challenges this session with a clear set of priorities: growing jobs, protecting our children’s future, and looking out for the most vulnerable,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “In tough times, we never forgot whose side we’re on: the side of middle class Oregonians, struggling families, and our most vulnerable.”

Rosenbaum pointed to legislation like the “Cool Schools” bill, the bottle bill expansion, and the historic agreements on both legislative and congressional redistricting maps as prime examples of legislative collaboration during the session. She noted legislation to extend unemployment insurance, provide loans for small businesses, protect homeowners facing foreclosure, and funding for early childhood education as key examples of Senate Democrats’ 2011 legislative priorities.

The customary “end-of-session binder” created by the caucus office at the completion of each session can be found at this link: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senatedemocrats/2011_accomplishments.pdf

The end of session checklist, outlining caucus agenda bills can be found here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senatedemocrats/2011_agenda_checklist.pdf

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org

SB 254 establishes state standards to allow students to earn dual credits

SALEM – The Senate approved a bill this afternoon that will give high school students a jump on college credits and expenses by requiring school districts to provide or ensure access to accelerated college credit programs, also referred to as “dual credit” courses. Dual credit courses are those in which a high school student earns both college and high school credits.

Continue reading “Legislation will give Oregon students a running start on college” »

Legislation includes ESD reform, help for rural schools, streamlining oversight

SALEM – The Senate approved a number of education bills this morning that illustrate significant reform of the state’s education system. The collection of bills complements work already done this session by Senate Democrats to increase oversight and set high standards for Oregon’s long term education goals.

“These continue to be challenging times for the state and for Oregonians. This is why it is more important than ever to use this session as an opportunity to reexamine how we deliver services in Oregon,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “Every session, Senate Democrats renew their commitment to fight for the best possible education for Oregon kids. This session is no exception and these bills are good examples of putting our words into action.”

Continue reading “Series of education bills gain Senate approval” »

SB 242 will provide greater autonomy, improve efficiency

SALEM – Landmark legislation to restructure the governance of Oregon’s public university system received broad, bipartisan support in the Oregon Senate this morning. Senate Bill 242 is the product of an interim workgroup that met to examine best practices for improving the quality, efficiency, and affordability of Oregon’s seven-university system.

Continue reading “Oregon University System restructuring bill approved by Senate” »