2025 Legislative Agenda

Three Priorities to Accelerate Learning for Oregon’s Children

Every child in Oregon—no matter their identity, zip code, or circumstances—deserves access to safe, welcoming, and rigorous learning environments. To fulfill this promise, Oregon has increased K-12 public education funding, expanded summer and after-school programs, and launched student success plans to close disparities. It’s now time to deliver on the full potential of these investments and accelerate progress for students, families, schools, and communities across Oregon.

This community-driven legislative agenda outlines three critical steps to advance a high-quality and racially just public education system that works for all students:

  • HB 3039: Sustain and expand funding for summer and after-school learning

  • SB 141 / HB 2009: Hold Oregon’s K-12 system accountable to students

  • Strengthen statewide student success plans for impact

Download the Agenda

Call to Action!

2025 Legislative Priorities

House Bill 3039
Sustain and Expand Funding for Summer and After-School Learning

Summer and after-school learning are among the most effective strategies to boost student engagement, learning, and well-being. They are especially critical for historically underserved youth, who benefit most from culturally responsive and holistic supports for academics, enrichment, and mental health. The most successful programs are delivered through partnerships between school districts, education service districts, Tribes, and community-based organizations (CBOs).

Since the Legislature restarted investing in 2024, Oregon must now ensure predictable and equitable funding for summer and after-school learning, including community and tribal programs. With a $100 million investment, Oregon can establish sustainable funding, streamline grantmaking, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen school-community partnerships to ensure equitable access for all youth.

TAKE ACTION: Vote YES for HB 3039 to expand access to high-quality and culturally relevant summer and after-school learning programs for youth across Oregon.

Senate Bill 141 / House Bill 2009
Hold Oregon’s K-12 System Accountable to Students

Oregon has delivered much-needed increases in public education funding, yet academic achievement lags for all students and opportunity gaps persist for historically marginalized and underserved communities. To drive meaningful change, the Legislature must ensure public dollars directly advance student success—not just tracking where dollars go, but effectively evaluating and focusing state resources to deliver better outcomes for all students.

This year, Oregon must build a plan for K-12 investment, improvement, and accountability that centers student success. With a strong plan in place, youth, families, communities, and policymakers can work together more effectively to close disparities and enhance learning for all students.

TAKE ACTION: Vote YES for SB 141 to build a stronger accountability system that ensures K-12 investments are effectively and equitably improving outcomes for Oregon students.

Strengthen Statewide Student Success Plans for Impact

Oregon’s six culturally and identity-specific Student Success Plans (SSPs) represent a powerful vision for change, ensuring historically underserved youth and communities help inform solutions. However, SSP implementation needs greater cohesion and alignment to deliver even more impactful results for focal student populations.

To realize the full potential of these plans, the Legislature must empower SSP advisory councils with clear guidance on their authority, expanded access to data, and a stronger ability to inform SSP funding strategies to improve student outcomes. By strengthening collaboration across the SSP councils, we can accelerate progress on closing educational disparities impacting historically marginalized and underserved students.

TAKE ACTION: Support empowering SSP councils and create intentional collaboration and integration across plans to achieve educational equity for all Oregon students.

Additional OPEJ Endorsements

OPEJ stands in solidarity with community, early childhood, and education advocates who are championing additional legislation to support Oregon youth. We are proud to endorse the following:

  • Fully fund the Early Literacy Success Initiative at $300 million to ensure every child can read proficiently by third grade.
    For more information, contact Jessica Cobian (jcobian@stand.org) at Stand for Children, Oregon.

  • Protect and reinforce state law to end suspension and expulsion in early learning programs, which disproportionately impact children and families of color.
    For more information, contact Dana Hepper (dana@childinst.org) at Children’s Institute.

  • HB 3201: Stabilize and support the early childhood workforce by addressing food insecurity through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
    For more information, contact Elena Barreto (elena.barreto@childinst.org) at Children’s Institute.

We envision a high-quality, racially just, and community-center public education system that supports every child with equitable access to safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments, ensuring all children in Oregon are empowered to grow into thriving global citizens.