Policy Update
It is more important than ever for all of us to tell our legislators why afterschool matters. We invite you to join us in reaching out to our local and national representatives to share the stories of how afterschool makes a difference for youth in our communities. Your voice matters- and as evidenced by the recent wins for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, legislators are listening. 
STEM 101: Major Policy Issues for the 115th Congress
Capitol Hill Briefing
On May 10, the STEM Education Coalition Policy Forum hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill with experts from the Afterschool Alliance, Microsoft, the National Science Teachers Association, and more. With over 100 congressional staff and education policy leaders in the room, the panelists discussed the current climate of STEM education for K-12 students. While the focus on STEM has been increasing in recent years across the nation, many students still do not have access to sufficient STEM education or resources. Topics ranging from appropriations for the Every Student Succeeds Act, widening the STEM pipeline, integrating hands-on and engineering education, equity and access, computer science, and the important role afterschool programs play in childhood education. Throughout the discussion, a theme of strong bipartisan support for STEM education in the 115th Congress emerged- it remains to be seen if Members of Congress will provide policy directives and funding to advance good STEM education policy. 
STEM Ready America

As we continue to build awareness and contribute to the STEM Learning Ecosystem, it is important that we are equipped with knowledge and resources that can help reinforce our case.  STEM Ready America  is a compendium of 40 articles presenting bold and persuasive evidence on how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and skills are preparing young people to be successful in school today and the workforce tomorrow. Edited by STEM Next Director Ron Ottinger, the compendium features dozens of leaders from the worlds of formal & informal STEM education, including OregonASK's Executive Director Beth Unverzagt. The Compendium highlights powerful stories of success from a cross the country and shares the latest in the growing body of research to help inform effective partnerships, policies, and actions that will bring quality STEM learning to children and youth across the nation. 

CLICK HERE to read the Compendium.

Share Your Input

The Chief Education Office is hosting feedback sessions to help state leaders think through critical elements of implementation for two bills currently under consideration in the Oregon legislature. Senate Bill 182 focuses on creating a high quality, culturally responsive educator workforce, and Senate Bill 183 is intended to improve graduation rates for historically underserved students. Both bills have passed through the Senate Education Committee and are currently being reviewed by Ways and Means.

There are several meetings being held across the state, as well as two online sessions, on May 26th and June 7th. Click here for meeting dates and registration information. 

Staying Up to Date with State Policy

We know how important it is to stay up-to-date on current state legislation and encourage those of you who are interested to know more about the happenings in Salem, you can follow bills directly from the  Oregon State Legislature   or contact  James Barta   to get weekly updates from Children First about a plethora of child related issues. 
Take Individual Action

You can make a difference.  Call on congress to  protect funding for afterschool and summer learning programs. Need help finding your legislators?  Click HERE . Need talking points to support your own stories of afterschool?  HERE  is evidence showing that Afterschool Works. 
Thank you for your support of afterschool in Oregon and across the nation.

Beth Unverzagt, Executive Director
(503)689-1656


OregonASK is a collaboration of public and private organizations and community members which seek to address common-issues and concerns across all out-of-school time services- child care, recreation, education and youth development.

(503)689-1656 | general@oregonask.org | www.oregonask.org
Join Us on Social Media

Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter