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At our state League convention in Salem May 2-4, delegates from local Leagues will vote on a proposed study to address areas of K-12 education not covered in our present position. They are:
While we have not weighed in as a local League, Clackamas County members who will represent us as delegates will vote on the proposed study and concurrence. Currently, LWVOR has positions on Fiscal policy related to school funding; Children at Risk; Child Care; and Post Secondary Education
Jean Pierce, LWVOR Action Chair, will chair the 2-year study and is looking for members around the state who will help with the study, already well laid out as to scope and components of the study. Jean has a PhD in Educational Psychology and taught at N. Illinois Univ. for 34 years. She worked with undergraduates, K-12 teachers, and administrators.
Concurrence: Another method of reaching a position is to adopt positions arrived at through study and consensus by other Leagues. A task force of five Oregon educational professionals in various local Leagues in Oregon have surveyed possible studies that will add important components to our current K-12 position:
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Assessment and High Stakes Testing [Pennsylvania, 2015]
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Attracting and Supporting Well-qualified Teachers [New Mexico]
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Charter Schools [Illinois 2015]
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Civic Education [Kentucky]
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Using Public Funds for Non-Public Schools [New Jersey, 1995, 2007]
All of these selected positions have been reviewed by our League task force who have listed pros and cons and reference materials.
Why should we study and take a position? Oregon students and their teachers deserve thoughtful deliberation and advocacy to remedy identified deficits in our system of education. During every legislative session our lawmakers deal with several educational issues, and the League needs to be ready to speak to them. To read more about the study and concurrence, scroll down to Program Planning at https://www.lwvor.org/account/member-resources
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