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Ÿ
The
Oregon Department of Education will continue to provide annual
reports on each school’s progress in meeting the objectives
of Oregon’s Education Act for the 21st Century
and “No Child Left Behind.”
Ÿ The
Oregon Congressional delegation will work to 1) promote
flexibility to implement No Child Left Behind Act in the
context of Oregon priorities and 2) identify priorities for
Oregon relevant to reauthorization of other federal
legislation.
Ÿ
In
ten local districts, Employers for Education Excellence (E3)
will develop and support community-led teams that measurably
increase the level of community awareness about and
involvement in activities that support college-readiness among
all students. Ÿ
Draft
legislation for consideration by the 2005 Legislature that
requires demonstration of proficiency to standards for
graduation from Oregon high schools. Ÿ
Continue
to emphasize and build capacity for change and identify
effective strategies for transforming middle and high schools.
Through the Oregon Small Schools Initiative, create
high-achieving and equitable small high schools. Specifically: Ÿ
Begin
to transform 4 large high schools into autonomous small
schools of no more than 400 students. (8 more to follow in
2005.)
Ÿ
Start-up
8 new small high schools. (4 more to follow in 2005.)
Ÿ Make
available expert information and professional development
opportunities related to high school improvement to all Oregon
high schools.
Ÿ
Provide
technical assistance and training to support readiness for
transformation to one to two dozen Oregon high schools.
Ÿ
Improve
and extend resources for student guidance and counseling by
engaging community partners and supporting mentoring
initiatives facilitated by intermediaries statewide.
Ÿ Fully
implement and periodically review standards and assessments
for all required academic content areas.
Ÿ
Invest
$6 million in the Advanced Technology Education and Training
Fund, authorized by SB 272 in August 2003, to execute stated
policies, specifically expansion of local and regional
advanced technology career centers, distance learning, and
public-private educational partnerships. |
Information
on the achievement gap will be highlighted more visibly though
modifications of the assessment reporting system required
under “No Child Left Behind.” The State Board and
Department of Education have made this a key priority and the
Department is working with school districts to develop
strategies for closing the achievement gap.
Closing
the achievement gap is a primary goal of a grant from the
Meyer Memorial Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation to establish the Oregon Small Schools
Initiative.
Working through E3: Employers for Education Excellence, the
initiative will improve educational options for low-income and
minority students by partnering with communities and school
districts to start new small high schools and transform large
ones. Successful models will be replicated in other
communities.
Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith have asked the
Congressional Research Service to study how well Oregon
schools compete in grant competitions, compared with other
states, to identify potential funding sources. The Senators
have also created a taskforce that is developing a list of
programs for the state school superintendent’s office to
pursue.
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