House GOP: 5 bills to reform education

By Oregon House Republican Caucus

February 20, 2025
SALEM, Ore. – Today, House Republicans announced legislation to dramatically reform public education that includes restoring graduation requirements, expanding options for school choice, and holding education leaders accountable for student outcomes. According to a statewide poll from January 4-7 of this year, 67% of Oregonians support expanding options for school choice.

“We have pushed multiple unfunded mandates on our schools, we are still recovering from our students being out of school for two years during COVID, and now we are struggling with behavior and mental health issues in every classroom,” said Rep. Emily McIntire (R-Klamath Falls), vice-chair of the House Committee on Education. “We need to look at simplifying our systems, holding those in charge accountable, and making sure that we are giving our students the education we promised them.”

Bills include:

HB 2051 – Requires a student to meet standards in reading, writing and math before getting a high school diploma.

HB 2672 – Allows students to attend schools in a nonresident school district with the consent of the receiving school district.

HB 3361 – Uses money from the General Fund to fund the Summer Learning Grant Program.

HB 3451 – Establishes the Superintendent of Public Instruction as a nonpartisan statewide elected office.

HB 3215 – Allows chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, industry trade associations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to sponsor a public charter school.

“Every Oregon child deserves a quality education,” said Rep. Christine Drazan (R-Canby). “But recent scores show public schools continue to fail thousands of students. We urgently need more options for students and their families to succeed.”

“Our current education system has placed the misguided interests of bureaucrats ahead of learning,” said Rep. Boomer Wright (R-Reedsport). “We have heard and listened to parents and students who want to raise the cap on open enrollment, fully fund summer learning programs, and provide greater access and funding to charter schools.”