Gov. Kotek hosts signing ceremony for bill providing $30 million for summer learning programs

WOODBURN, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek hosted a signing ceremony Wednesday for House Bill 4082, which legislators passed and the governor signed this year to provide $30 million in state funding for summer learning opportunities across Oregon.

The funding means an estimated 48,000 students across Oregon will benefit from summer learning programs this year. The bill also creates a workgroup to develop recommendations for sustainable long-term funding for summer.

“Our goals must be student-centered to reduce opportunity gaps for historically underserved students and raise the bar on outcomes for all students,” Governor Kotek said. “And we have to help families know their children have a safe, welcoming place to learn during the summer months and after school.”

“In Oregon, summer is another season for learning,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education. “This summer, students should grab their notebooks, pens, curiosity and hiking shoes and get ready for a summer of learning and adventure. Summer learning is not summer school. In Oregon, it's a season of creative thinking, problem solving and engaging, hands-on learning.”

Additionally, Governor Kotek gave an update on the commitment she made to address core issues that educators have raised about the funding necessary to improve outcomes for students across Oregon. Governor Kotek said her office and the Oregon Department of Education are working on:

• Updating the calculation of current service level for the State School Fund, starting with a series of roundtable discussions about education funding and learning outcomes;
• Reviewing the definition of education accountability;
• Strengthening financial transparency so that district budget information is more accessible and easier to understand for the public; and
• Developing long-term approaches for summer and afterschool learning and early literacy.

“Our basic approach to funding K-12 education is more than 30 years old,” Governor Kotek said. “It’s time to review and update.”

--

News release from the Oregon House and Senate Democratic and Republican Offices:

Setting Oregon Students Up for Success with Summer Learning

Legislators celebrate Governor signing bill into law to fund summer learning in the near term and initiate a plan to make the programs permanent

WOODBURN, Ore. – Today, legislators and advocates joined Governor Kotek at Washington elementary school as she signed House Bill 4082 into law, ensuring Oregon kids and teachers will have the resources they need to continue to learn and grow through the summer months this year and beyond.

“As a teacher of over 42 years and as a Legislator, I have been steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that students have the tools needed for success,” said Rep. Susan McLain (D-Forest Grove), the primary chief sponsor and co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education. “This funding will strengthen partnerships between districts, community organizations, local governments and tribal nations already doing great work to support all Oregon students.”

Summer Learning programs at schools in every corner of the state provide safe, healthy, and enriching resources for Oregon students between school years. These programs also ensure kids who need extra help to reach their full potential don’t get left behind.

“We saw with the influx of one-time COVID-funding that summer learning programs can make a real difference for our students. We no longer have those federal dollars, but we do still have students who need to catch up. This bill is a great step towards creating the long-term, sustainable, and effective summer learning programs Oregon kids deserve,” said Senator Michael Dembrow (D - Portland), chair of the Senate Education Committee.

In addition to providing $30 million for programs this summer, HB 4082 also requires the Oregon Department of Education to study and identify how to establish Summer Learning as a permanent feature of Oregon’s larger K-12 system.

“We must make summer learning funding permanent to ensure ongoing stability and quality of our summer opportunities for Oregon kids,” said Representative Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville, Sherwood, King City, Tigard), an educator and Chair of the House Committee on Education. “These investments align with research and underscore our commitment to ensuring kids are getting the tailored services they need to rebound from COVID learning challenges.”

"It's essential that we make targeted investments to get our students back on track,”said Representative Tracy Cramer (R-Gervais).“It's equally important that the Legislature take an active role in ensuring these funds are used wisely. We must track and monitor their performance and outcomes to ensure these funds are increasing student's proficiency in the basics of reading, writing, and math."

“The summer can be a great time of learning for kids who have the money and opportunities, but for kids who don’t have those same privileges, it can be a time of real learning loss. Every Oregon kid, no matter where they live or how much money their family has, deserves to have the same shot at success, and these summer learning programs will help make that happen,” said Senator Lew Frederick (D- Portland), co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education.

To ensure programs reach students with the greatest need, the legislation requires districts to partner with tribes and community-based organizations trusted by youth and families. Programs serving youth from preschool through grade 12 are eligible for summer learning funding. Programs have to provide academic enrichment, by aligning with academic content standards in math, science, language arts, life skills, school readiness, or credit recovery.

“We know that education is the key to Oregon students being able to compete globally and locally in a 21st Century economy. Summer learning programs ensure that students not only have the basic skills they need to gain access to good jobs, but summer programs can also give students exposure to STEM education that will help them no matter what industry they go into,” Senator Janeen Sollman (D - Hillsboro).

House Bill 4082 received overwhelming bipartisan support with a 26-4 vote in the Senate and sailing through the House 53-4.