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State Legislators Consider Several Bills Aimed At Equitable Education

As the state legislative session rounds the halfway mark, advocates are working to increase funding for equitable learning initiatives throughout Oregon. This includes support for 4 bills aimed at student success for Native American and Latino students, inclusive curriculum, and early childhood education.

Stand for Children joined 9 other organizations to ensure that when Gov. Kate Brown signs the final budget, underserved students aren’t left out. Parasa Chanramy, a policy analyst for Stand for Children Oregon, says current education funding is arbitrary and unless dollars are earmarked for specific groups of students, they wouldn’t get it. 

CHANRAMY: “For too long our system has been catered towards a one-size fits all approach and it’s important for us to be equitable and provide meaningful support for students and families.”

The groups are looking to advance Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 2440. These two bills require the Oregon Department of Education to create plans for underserved Native American and Latino students.

Another bill they're supporting is House Bill 2023 which would require the State Board of Education to adopt textbooks and materials that's inclusive undrepresented minorities. House Bill 2897 is also on their radar. It would establish an early childhood equity fund for culturally specific early learning. 

In addition to focusing on current legislation, they're also seeking more funding for bills from previous sessions like a 2015 bill that requires ODE to develop success plans for African American and Black students.

The coalition is comprised of the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Chalkboard Project, Children's Institute, Coalitions of Communities of Color, Latino Network, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Business and Industry, Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools, and Unite Oregon.

Melorie Begay is a multimedia journalist for KLCC News. She was the Inaugural KLCC Public Radio Foundation Journalism Fellow. She has a bachelors in Multimedia Journalism from the University of New Mexico. She previously interned at KUNM public radio in Albuquerque, NM and served as a fellow for the online news publication New Mexico In Depth.