Project OFAR

In the spring of 2012, the state contract and federal grants that have subsidized Oregon District easyCBM subscriptions will end.  Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, districts that wish to maintain their easyCBM subscriptions will be charged $1 per student.  In future years, the subscription will be offered at a discounted rate.

To learn more about these changes, read the September 2011 letter from the BRT Team supporting easyCBM.

Salem) – The federal Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Program has released a best practices brief co-authored by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).  The best practices brief on stakeholder communications is the first brief of its kind released by the program.  The document details strategies and suggests best practices to communicate with SLDS project stakeholders.

ODE staff contributing to the brief include Doug Kosty, Josh Klein, Mickey Garrison and Michael Rebar.  In addition to Oregon, other co-authors represent Florida, Georgia, Idaho and Kentucky.  The brief was developed in collaboration with Robin Taylor of the SLDS State Support Team at the Institute of Education Sciences. 

Though this brief is the first of its kind released by the federal SLDS Grant Program, future best practice briefs are planned.  According to the program website, the best practices briefs will “…provide lessons learned and targeted strategies to help states overcome common obstacles to creating a high-quality SLDS.”   

Read the SLDS Best Practices Brief on Stakeholder Communication.

Read more about Oregon's contribution to this effort in the June/July issue of the Superintendent's Pipeline (page 8).

(Salem) - Teachers, school administrators, children’s advocates, university researchers and business people are among the 13 Oregonians Governor Kitzhaber today announced will serve on his Oregon Education Investment Team.  The Governor will chair the Team charged with developing strategies to create a seamless zero to 20 education system that is integrated, efficient and accountable.

Created by Executive Order, the Team will propose policy and system changes and integrate recommendations from the Governor’s transition teams on early childhood success, K-12 and post-secondary education.  It will outline a budget and policy framework in a report due May 31, 2011.

“We are fortunate to have such a talented and committed group of Oregonians willing to step up to the challenge,” said Governor Kitzhaber.  “I am confident that together we can change course on education to ensure kids are ready to learn when they get to kindergarten, reading when they get out of first grade and have a seamless transition from high school to college and careers.”