Oregon’s governor Kate Brown (D) signed a bill suspending proficiency requirements for reading, writing, and math in order to provide “equitable graduation standards” for high school over the next five years.
Oregon governor lowers standards for “equity” so more HS students can graduate
Oregon’s Democratic governor Kate Brown quietly signed a bill without fanfare that has only now come to greater public attention. Brown reduced the requirements for proficiency in reading, writing or math before graduation for high school students, Fox reported.
Trying to hide?
According to the Oregonian, the governor appeared to avoid discussing Senate Bill 744. Her move to sign the bill was “not public until recently, because her office did not hold a signing ceremony or issue press release.”
No graduation standards
Governor Brown’s bill will suspend proficiency requirements beginning on July 14. The state will go without any proficiency standards for high school students for the next five years until new rules are drafted and implemented in 2024. Even then, those rules are not likely to apply to high school graduates until 2027, the Daily Wire reported.
According to The Oregonian, education officials in the state are reluctant to make changes to standards for students who have already entered high school.
What were the standards?
According to the Daily Wire, the suspended proficiency requirements mandated all high school graduates must demonstrate the rough equivalent to a 10th grade level of competence in reading, writing and math.
What’s the purpose for the changes?
According to a statement by Foundations for a Better Oregon, the intention of the bill is to “truly reflect what every student needs to thrive in the 21st century.”
Supporters of changing the proficiency standards say considering reading and math to be essential skills is an unfair challenge for students who do not test well.
Equity for students of color
“Oregon’s Black, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Tribal, and students of color stand to benefit from the legislation,” according to a statement provided to The Oregonian from Charles Boyle, Brown’s deputy communications director.
“Leaders from those communities have advocated time and again for equitable graduation standards, along with expanded learning opportunities and supports.”
Dropping the bar?
Oregon Republicans have come out against the bill with claims that it lowers “expectations for our kids.” However, according to a report by KATU, there was some bipartisan support of the legislation.
