The Student Success Act (SSA) passed by the 2019 Legislature represents the first significant investment in Oregon’s school system since the passage of ballot measure 5 in 1990. Meeting students’ mental and behavioral health needs and increasing academic achievement for all students are its two main goals. To achieve these goals, funding can be used for expanding instructional time, student health and safety, class size and case load reduction, and provisions for a well-rounded education to include early literacy, middle school programs, and broadening curricular options.

School districts will need to complete a plan to access SSA funds. The plan must demonstrate community and stakeholder engagement in assessing the needs of the community. Once these needs are identified, they can be prioritized to receive funding. The plan requires approval by the local school board before it can be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

ESDs were also written into the SSA legislation. Their charge is to provide technical assistance in the development and writing of the local district plans, supporting those plans as they are implemented, and aiding coordination of coaching for those districts designated to receive such support. In the 2019-20 biennium, ESDs will receive $24,000,000 from the Statewide Initiatives Account. This funding will be allocated as a percentage of the total ADMw of all ESDs. Expenditures by individual ESDs may take place beginning September 1, 2019 for allowable uses; however, funds will not be available until May 1, 2020.

Each ESD must complete a regional plan based on local district needs and targets in order to receive funding. The plan for ESD expenditures will be developed by the ESD’s local school districts and will be adopted and amended as a part of the local service plan process and timelines. Each ESD must submit an annual report to the department that describes how the ESD grant funds were expended. Finally, each ESD must include an evaluation of the education service district’s compliance with the plan from the superintendent of each school district that participated in the development of the plan.  

Elevate Lane County is Lane County’s responsive programming to the need for more career connected learning opportunities for students and educators. Launched in 2017, they have connected more than 7,000 middle and high school students with industry outside of the classroom, and have supported 36 educator externships, resulting in more than 5,000 professional development hours.

Leveraging the high level of engagement by industry partners, and the interest of component school districts, these externships have focused on high demand, high wage, STEM-related opportunities due to the expected growth of STEM occupations. This work-based learning pathway is a key component in developing students who are in touch with the demands of the workplace and the skills, both technical and professional. Educators who are exposed to the culture and values of an industry become more prepared to implement curriculum that is beneficial to student preparation. These students find:



Educators who are interested in participating apply during the month of February, are screened for selection in March, complete an orientation and industry assessment in April, and are matched with one or two companies in May. Together with industry partners, staff orchestrate an industry mentor orientation, educator orientation, two summer lunch checkins, two journal opportunities, and a required curriculum connection prior to entering the classroom in the fall. Elevate Lane County has a detailed YouTube video that provides additional details.

It is not too early to start thinking about the OAESD Fall Summit in Portland on Thursday November 14 . It will be the day before the start of the Oregon School Board Conference. The agenda is still coming together, but OAESD has an eye towards exploring the Oregon Student Success Act and the role ESDs will play in its implementation. There will be table topics that highlight current critical issues and opportunities to network with other ESDs. There will also updates about upcoming initiatives from OAESD, Governance Council reports, and a look forward to the upcoming legislative session. Watch out for more details as we get into fall.

This month, OAESD Superintendent Council and the OAESD Governance Council unanimously approved funding and authorized the hiring of a Program Administrator. The duties of this new position will include assisting project leads, supporting communication with key stakeholder, acting as the primary contact with ODE on major projects, and supporting the work of the Executive Director and the Program Cabinet. To review the full job description and application process, please see the job posting on the Linn Benton Lincoln ESD website.

   Oregon Association of Education Service Districts  is a partnership between:

Clackamas  ,  Columbia Gorge  ,  Douglas  ,  Harney  ,  High Desert  ,  InterMountain  ,  Jefferson  ,

Lake  ,  Lane  ,  Linn Benton Lincoln  ,  Malheur  ,  Multnomah  ,  Northwest Regional  ,  South Coast  ,  Southern Oregon  , and  Willamette  Education Service Districts.

Does your ESD have something interesting going on the rest of the state should know about?

Send your ideas or suggestion to   info@oaesd.org