SB 1552

Abstract

Digest: Makes many changes to the education laws of this state. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.7). Establishes a youth advisory group. Prescribes the membership and duties of the group. Directs the Department of Education to establish a work group to develop standards for the group. Directs the department to develop a plan for the collection of course-level completion and grade data for all public school students in grades 6 through 12. Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a direct admissions program for community colleges and public universities. Directs the Legislative and Policy Research Director to conduct a study on the Quality Education Model and the state's system of financing public education for kindergarten through grade 12. Changes the entity that makes determinations related to the Oregon Opportunity Grant program to the commission. Requires that the manner by which the commission determines the state share under the program be done by rule. Modifies calculations of funding for the Youth Corrections Education Program and the Juvenile Detention Education Program. Directs the department to establish a target funding level for programs. Authorizes the department to transfer moneys from the Statewide Education Initiatives Account for the purpose of meeting the target funding level. Expands the authority of the commission to enter into contracts or agreements for Oregon's Open Educational Resources (OER) Program. Clarifies the requirements for school district policies related to short-acting opioid antagonists. Modifies the membership requirements of the Educator Advancement Council, the scope of duties of the council and the requirements of certain grants awarded by the council. Directs the commission to convene a work group to conduct a study related to evidence-based corequisite student support models. Allows an applied baccalaureate degree program or Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree program to be eligible for funding from the Community College Support Fund. Clarifies the eligibility of part-time faculty members at a public institution of higher education to receive employee-only health care benefits. Directs the commission to conduct a study related to the forestry workforce. Exempts from public meetings laws meetings of certain subcommittees of the Transfer Council. Allows a person, prior to beginning an education, a training or an apprenticeship program for an occupational or a professional license, to petition a licensing board, a commission or an agency for a determination as to whether a criminal conviction will prevent the person from receiving the license. Specifies laws that are applicable to approved recovery schools. Clarifies the applicability of just cause provisions to classified school employees. Modifies payment requirements for substitute teachers. Repeals sections related to the repealed Early Success Reading Initiative. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.