Oregon lawmakers are engaged in a significant effort to reform the state’s school funding framework, which has remained unchanged for 27 years. The proposal, led by Sen. Janeen Sollman and Rep. Ricki Ruiz, aims to replace the outdated Quality Education Model (QEM) and redefine how funding levels are determined for public schools across the state.
The Joint Public Education Appropriation Committee, co-chaired by Sollman and Ruiz, is advocating for a comprehensive review of the funding model, which has not only guided financial allocations but has also shaped educational standards in Oregon. The committee is expected to debate and possibly vote on this transformative bill when the legislative session commences on February 2, 2024.
One of the central elements of the proposal is the complete elimination of the QEM and the Quality Education Commission, which has been responsible for evaluating educational needs and recommending funding levels every two years. Since its inception in 1999, the commission has aimed to achieve a statewide graduation rate of 90%, yet the Legislature has only fully funded schools to the recommended amount once, providing $11.4 billion for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
Under the new legislation, responsibility for determining school funding needs would shift to the Legislative Policy and Research Office. This office would collaborate with external experts to conduct thorough analyses of school finance. The process would involve engaging educators statewide to gather insights on the specific needs of schools. Recommendations for funding levels would then be submitted to the Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee every eight years, with interim adjustments for inflation and other costs made by the Department of Administrative Services.
The proposed bill also seeks to redefine the standards for public education quality in Oregon. Schools would need to demonstrate not only a 90% graduation rate but also meet specific targets in line with a new education accountability law established in 2024. This law mandates that school districts collaborate with the Oregon Department of Education to improve metrics such as third-grade reading scores and eighth-grade math scores, among others.
Despite the ambition behind this proposal, some lawmakers have expressed concern over the timing and scope of the changes. Rep. Emily McIntire raised apprehensions that schools are overwhelmed by legislative changes that require significant resources for compliance. She emphasized the need for caution, stating, “I think that our schools are saying, ‘please stop. Please leave us alone.’”
Rep. Susan McLain, a veteran educator and committee member, echoed her concerns, noting that while the effort to modernize the funding model has been long discussed, the extent of the proposed changes has come as a surprise. “This bill is not just about doing away with the quality education model. It also has to do with responsibilities for other parts of our system,” she said.
Ruiz defended the proposed changes, arguing that implementing more defined targets for school performance would foster greater public trust in the educational system. He expressed frustration over the limited progress despite substantial financial investment in education. “I’m just sick and tired that we put so much money into the education system and we’re seeing little to no progress,” he stated.
As discussions move forward, the committee has agreed to advance the bill for further debate during the upcoming legislative session. The outcome of this initiative could have lasting implications for Oregon’s public education landscape, influencing not only funding levels but also the overall direction of educational policy in the state.
