After two years of one-time funding for summer learning, the Oregon legislature is considering a bill that would dedicate ongoing money for summer programs.
SALEM, Ore The Oregon House Education Committee is continuing its push for racial equity with a new bill, that would protect teachers of color from being laid off during district budget cuts.
House Bill 2001 is currently in the House Rules Committee after passing unanimously in the Education Committee Tuesday. House Speaker Tina Kotek is the main sponsor and is lobbying state leaders to ensure representation in classrooms.
“This bill has a simple, but important goal,” Speaker Kotek said in a written testimony in February. “Maintain diversity ratios between teachers and students in the event of school district layoffs.”
Typically during layoffs, seniority is prioritized – affecting new teachers specifically BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) educators. The proposed bill would provide an alternative to prevent cuts from negatively impacting diverse teacher to student ratio.