As Oregon students face an ever more competitive world, they often contend with educational structures that were developed in the 19th Century. How can we create a seamless system from early childhood through post-secondary education that prepares our young people to succeed?
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135 votes
school food reform
School food reform! Eliminate the processed junk with high fat, carbs and sugars. Support local farms or have gardens at schools. Even live stock programs where space is available. School is where kids are educated. What they eat there is part of their education. No wonder America is overweight, ... more
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117 votes
Give Oregon High School Students a Free Undergraduate Education
From Lori Randolph in Salem:
The cost of a public post-secondary education in Oregon is prohibitive to many hard-working middle class families. I believe Oregon high school students should be entitled to an undergraduate degree, tuition free, at any one of Oregon's public universities. In exch... more -
80 votes
Use project-based learning and technology to prepare our high school students for the working world
From Jennifer Cole in Klamath Falls:
Until last spring, I worked at a traditional high school in Klamath Falls. I am now working at a new, small high-tech charter school. We are using project-based learning and technology to prepare our high school students for the working world or for success in... more -
58 votes
Use More Critical Thinking Programs in the Schools
From Patricia Day TenEyck in Portland:
One of the greatest deficits in education currently is the notion that all students need to pass standardized tests. I have two sons in school all of what they are learn is geared specifically toward tests. It upsets me greatly to see that neither son has... more -
53 votes
Build a child care system in the state that is affordable, accessible and high quality.
Currently, the average cost of child care in Oregon is 1.6 times higher than the cost of tuition at one of our public universities. This is highly burdensome and unsustainable for many families.
High costs keep some parents (usually mothers) from remaining meaningfully attached to the workfor... more
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42 votes
Streamline Teacher Certification and Licensing
From Alan Holland in Salem:
Teacher certification/licensing by TSPC is very slow, tedious and demanding for out of state educators seeking to get licensed to teach in Oregon. TSPC should be looked at in light of seeking to expedite this process thus increasing to pool of teachers for employmen... more -
40 votes
Teach kids cooking in elementary schools
From Fran Ross in Eugene:
Home economics is not a new idea, but if kids can cook they can contribute in a valuable way to busy families, and improve the nutrition for the whole family. -
40 votes
Invest in School Based Health Care Centers
Healthy children are better students. Providing health care access where kids already spend their day allows for more time in school.
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34 votes
Support More Career Guidance in High School
I would like to see district support for innovative career guidance in high schools. We know that learning is deeper and more inspired when students have the chance to apply or see it applied. Sometimes even one day of exposure to a career setting can change a student's life. Communities have so ... more
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32 votes
Start K-12 with Earth Sciences
It seems that children are more interested in the natural world (plants, animals, & insects) than reading and arithmetic. Mix Earth sciences with the two R's in the classroom starting in kindergarden through 6 grade or beyond. Perhaps this will keep children from dropping out of school mental... more
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32 votes
Strengthen foreign languages program in K-12; especially Mandarin
Create more foreign language immersion programs beginning in kindergarten and generally strengthen foreign languages in K-12 in the languages of important foreign economic markets, especially Mandarin. Recognize that 80% of global economic growth will take place outside the US.
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29 votes
Collaborate with the DHS and create an early childhood educational model
From Jenny Booth:
I strongly agree about the importance of early childhood intervention and education. However, without the security of stable housing or adequate nourishment, a child's ability to benefit from rich educational programs is limited. How about an integrated early childhood educ... more -
25 votes
Require teaching of basic consumer principles.
How to open and maintain a checking account. How credit cards work. What escrow is. How to fill out a tax form. These are all basic things schools should teach so students can be smart about their personal finances and not be taken advantage of by anyone.
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24 votes
Facilitate a connection with schools and community non-profits, city, county and state services
From Don Brown in Eugene:
Programs such as the Red Cross childcare food program are a great start...networking people who specialize in early childhood support can bring immediate change. Schools can play a role, too -- if there were a way for them to have easy access to community resources. E... more -
23 votes
Reform Oregon Measure 11
This "one strike you're out" law targets kids as young as 15 to be sentenced as adults. Oregon is also one of the few states to spend more on its prisons than on higher education. Better schools means less crime, which means less cost to taxpayers to pay the high cost of incarceration. ... more
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22 votes
Foster more partnerships by way of higher education, high schools, vocational schools and businesses
From Chris Allnatt in Portland:
Invest more in entrepreneurial and business incubators. Don't worry about bringing the next big company to Oregon. Grow them with our own assets and people. -
21 votes
Make Oregon an international leader in K-12 online learnning
Ask the State Board of Education to aggressively pursue online learning opportunities for K-12. Recognize that online programs can expand course offerings, improve learning and save money (which can be redirected to other educational needs). Utilize existing online providers of full-time, course-... more
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15 votes
National Standards and Assessments
Level the playing field by implementing national/international standards in reading, writing, math, and science, so we can identify and share evidence-based best practices. Currently, exit standards/assessments vary hugely, so what meets/exceeds standard in Virginia or Missouri, etc., could be s... more
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15 votes
Better Citizenship through Homeschooling
By promoting homeschooling and helping new parents with homeschooling techniques we could not only create a well rounded and better educated citizenry but we could save an incredible number of tax dollars as well.
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11 votes
Pay to send high school students to study abroad ( HB 2719 from 2009 session)
Create a Go Global High School Study Abroad Program (pass something like HB 2719) permitting local school districts to use state, federal, and local educational funds to send high school students to study abroad through programs like AFS, ASSE and CIEE. Some of these programs cost less (transpor... more