Bill Text: OR SB244 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to learning time.

Spectrum: Unknown

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB244 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SB244-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 2762

                         Senate Bill 244

Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the
  President of the Senate in conformance with presession filing
  rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part
  of the President (at the request of Senate Interim Committee on
  Education and General Government)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Requires State Board of Education to encourage increased
learning time.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to learning time; amending ORS 329.025 and 329.045.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1. ORS 329.025 is amended to read:
  329.025. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly to
maintain a system of public elementary and secondary schools that
allows students, parents, teachers, administrators, school
district boards and the State Board of Education to be
accountable for the development and improvement of the public
school system.  The public school system shall have the following
characteristics:
  (1) Provides equal and open access and educational
opportunities for all students in the state regardless of their
linguistic background, culture, race, gender, capability or
geographic location;
  (2) Assumes that all students can learn and establishes high,
specific skill and knowledge expectations and recognizes
individual differences at all instructional levels;
  (3) Provides each student an education experience that supports
academic growth beyond proficiency in established academic
content standards and encourages students to attain aspirational
goals that are individually challenging;
  (4) Provides special education, compensatory education,
linguistically and culturally appropriate education and other
specialized programs to all students who need those services;
  (5) Supports the physical and cognitive growth and development
of students;
  (6) Provides students with a solid foundation in the skills of
reading, writing, problem solving and communication;
  (7) Provides opportunities for students to learn, think,
reason, retrieve information, use technology and work effectively
alone and in groups;
  (8) Provides for rigorous academic content standards and
instruction in mathematics, science, English, history, geography,
economics, civics, physical education, health, the arts and
second languages;
   { +  (9) Is structured to provide increased learning time; + }
    { - (9) - }   { + (10) + } Provides students an educational
background to the end that they will function successfully in a
constitutional republic, a participatory democracy and a
multicultural nation and world;
    { - (10) - }   { + (11) + } Provides students with the
knowledge and skills that will provide the opportunities to
succeed in the world of work, as members of families and as
citizens;
    { - (11) - }   { + (12) + } Provides students with the
knowledge and skills that lead to an active, healthy lifestyle;
    { - (12) - }   { + (13) + } Provides students with the
knowledge and skills to take responsibility for their decisions
and choices;
    { - (13) - }   { + (14) + } Provides opportunities for
students to learn through a variety of teaching strategies;
    { - (14) - }   { + (15) + } Emphasizes involvement of parents
and the community in the total education of students;
    { - (15) - }   { + (16) + } Transports children safely to and
from school;
    { - (16) - }   { + (17) + } Ensures that the funds allocated
to schools reflect the uncontrollable differences in costs facing
each district;
    { - (17) - }   { + (18) + } Ensures that local schools have
adequate control of how funds are spent to best meet the needs of
students in their communities; and
    { - (18) - }   { + (19) + } Provides for a safe, educational
environment.
  SECTION 2. ORS 329.045 is amended to read:
  329.045. (1) { + (a) + } In order to achieve the goals
contained in ORS 329.025, the State Board of Education shall
regularly and periodically review and revise its Common
Curriculum Goals, performance indicators and diploma
requirements.
   { +  (b) + }   { - This includes - }   { + The review and
revision conducted under this section shall:
  (A) Include + } Essential Learning Skills and rigorous academic
content standards in mathematics, science, English, history,
geography, economics, civics, physical education, health, the
arts and second languages.   { - School districts and public
charter schools shall maintain control over course content,
format, materials and teaching methods. The regular review
shall - }
   { +  (B) + } Involve teachers and other educators, parents of
students and other citizens and   { - shall - }  provide ample
opportunity for public comment.
   { +  (C) Strive to find ways to encourage increased learning
time.  As used in this subparagraph, 'increased learning time'
means a schedule that encompasses a longer school day, week or
year for the purpose of increasing the total number of school
hours available to provide:
  (i) Students with instruction in core academic subjects,
including mathematics, science, English, history, geography,
economics, civics, the arts and second languages;
  (ii) Students with instruction in subjects other than the
subjects identified in sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph,
including health and physical education;
  (iii) Students with the opportunity to participate in
enrichment activities that contribute to a well-rounded
education, including learning opportunities that may be based on
service, experience or work and that may be provided by entering
into partnerships with other organizations; and

  (iv) Teachers with the opportunity to collaborate, plan and
engage in professional development within and across grades and
subjects.
  (c) Nothing in this subsection prevents a school district or
public charter school from maintaining control over course
content, format, materials and teaching methods. + }
  (2) The State Board of Education shall continually review and
revise all adopted academic content standards necessary for
students to successfully transition to the next phase of their
education.
  (3) School districts and public charter schools shall offer
students instruction in mathematics, science, English, history,
geography, economics, civics, physical education, health, the
arts and second languages that meets the academic content
standards adopted by the State Board of Education and meets the
requirements adopted by the State Board of Education and the
board of the school district or public charter school.
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