Education Committee

Interim Chair: Kathy Swift, Capital Pacific Bank

Ensuring a world-class education system for all Oregonians is critical to the state’s ability to compete in the global economy and maintain a high quality of life for all Oregonians. There is a need for a coordinated systematic approach to delivering a highly qualified workforce for Oregon businesses. In addition, investments are needed at every stage of the education continuum, from Pre-K to higher education.

2013 Legislative Agenda:

  • 1. Next steps in education re-design to move towards 40-40-20 goal:

OBA supports moving Oregon toward the 40-40-20 goal through pursuit of a fundamental redesign of the education system. In order to achieve this, funding models must be redesigned to encourage innovation and improved outcomes, including an overhaul of funding for post-secondary education to ensure degree attainment consistent with our 40-40-20 goals.

OBA also supports the establishment of the STEM Investment Council and the appropriation of $50 million from the general fund for the 2013-2015 biennium to support the council’s activities, including the following STEM goals:

  • By 2025, double the percentage of Oregon’s 4th, 8th, and 12th graders who are “proficient” and “advanced” in math and science as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
  • By 2025, double the number of Oregon STEM postsecondary graduates.In addition, we agree with and will participate in monitoring oversight of the STEM investment council to ensure goals are met and progress is being made in accordance within the established timeframes.
  • 2. University Autonomy:
    OBA supports the direction of establishing institutional governing boards for Oregon public institutions. We believe that policies for University Governance should:
  • Further consolidate the number of state-level, education-related boards to better align and integrate the system and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the statewide governance structure,
  • Support providing institutional boards to universities that want one,
  • Grant institutional boards the statutory authority to hire/fire the President,
  • Authorize institutional boards to issue bonds,
  • Authorize institutional boards to set tuition with a limit set by the Legislature,
  • Provide broad governing authorities in statute to institutional boards to achieve the public mission of the university,
  • Require a university’s institutional boards to enter into an Achievement Compact directly with the Oregon Education Investment Board to increase accountability, and
  • Continue to require universities to coordinate with the other universities, community colleges and school districts.

2013 Committee Schedule: Third Fridays, Noon – 1:30

OBA Staff Contact: Joel Fischer

OBA supports Oregon’s National Career Readiness Certificate