Student Success Act
Through the dedicated efforts of OEA members, Oregon passed the historic Student Success Act in May 2019, adding $1 billion in funding per year for Oregon schools and students. This new law includes sweeping provisions for new and improved services for children and families, including additional instructional time, providing mental and behavioral health supports, reducing class size, implementing a more well-rounded education, fully funding High School Success (Measure 98), improving school safety and more.
Read more about the journey to pass the Student Success Act in our Spring 2019 issue of Today's OEA magazine.
Funding to Support Oregon’s Students
For the 2021-23 biennium, Oregon has allocated $2.28 billion for the Student Success Act:
- Student Investment Account: $892 million
- Early Learning Fund: $436 million
- Statewide Education Initiatives: $333 million
- New reserve account for SIA: $150 million
Rooted in equity, authentic engagement, and shared accountability for student success
The law requires school districts to build on the strengths and assets of young people, educators, families across the state, including members of the nine federally recognized tribes; students of color; students with disabilities; emerging bilingual students; and students navigating poverty, homelessness, and foster care.
We can finally invest in an education system that will ensure every single student in our state is on a path to realizing their dreams for the future. What we have come together to do over the past few months will be felt by students, teachers and schools for years to come.
Governor Kate Brown — July 1, 2019
Funding to Support Oregon’s Students
The largest portion of the SSA goes into the Student Investment Account, or SIA. These funds go directly to school districts. District leaders must engage with students, staff and the community to identify the top local priorities for investing these funds. SIA funds are limited to four allowable uses:
- Expanding instructional time through more hours or days, summer programs, and before and after school programs.
- Addressing student health and safety.
- Reducing class sizes across grade levels and caseloads for specialists to allow more individualized attention.
- Providing students a well-rounded educational experience including broadening curricular options to include music, art, engaging electives, CTE classes, and much more.
At least 20% of the overall SSA is dedicated to improve early learning opportunities for children birth through age 5. These funds are expanding the number of slots available in Early Head Start for infants and toddlers, increasing access to high-quality preschool programs, and ensuring children can access the Early Childhood Special Education services they need to address developmental delays and disabilities.
Statewide Education Initiatives
This fund is dedicated to creating new programs or expanding existing programs that support students across the state. These programs include:
- Statewide Education Initiatives, including African American/Black Student, LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plans
- Expanding child nutrition programs at schools so more students can access free breakfast and lunch at school.
- Expanding summer programs for students in schools with the greatest need.
- Fully funding Oregon’s Measure 98, the High School Success program, which helps students stay on track through high school and graduate on time and ready for their next phase of life.
Stay Engaged, Stay Informed
A hallmark of the Student Success Act and specifically the Student Investment Account is the commitment to collaboration and engagement. This represents a shift in Oregon and moves us toward a model where all voices are valued, especially those of students and historically underserved communities. School districts must post their local plans on their district website in an easy to access location such as the home page. Districts must also give regular oral reports to their local school board and allow public testimony on the district’s plans and the district’s progress toward its goals for supporting students.
As a member, you can stay engaged by reading your district plan, participating in local engagement opportunities hosted by your local union or your district, and sharing what you learn with your colleagues, your students and families.