Oregon House Passes Historic Reforms to English Language Learner Education
HB 3499 is a bipartisan approach to more effectively support students, educators and schools.
(SALEM, Ore.) — The Oregon House of Representatives today voted unanimously to pass House Bill 3499B, a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for English Language Learners (ELL) by increasing transparency, accountability, and systemic supports for schools, educators, and students.
Sponsored by Rep. Joe Gallegos, HB 3499B was developed to address a wide-range of measures that together will significantly improve the impact and quality of education provided to English Language Learners, the fastest growing student population in Oregon. To address this disparity in outcomes, HB 3499B includes:
Uniform Coding and Budget Transparency: HB 3499B creates a uniform budget coding and reporting system that all schools and districts are accountable to for their ELL expenditures.
System of Supports & Progressive Intervention: To systemically increase outcomes for ELL students, HB 3499B designs and implements a comprehensive system of supports and progressive interventions for individual districts and schools that are not meeting the learning objectives of their ELL students.
Focus on Long-Term Strategies: To ensure the success of the investments outlined in HB 3499B, a workgroup of diverse stakeholders will focus on transitional supports for students who are advancing out of ELL education. These recommendations will also be tailored to the needs of individual schools, districts, and students.
“Currently, only 49% of ELL students graduate our high schools,” said Rep. Gene Whisnant (RSunriver). “We know we can do better, and with HB 3499, we have the ability to turn this crisis into an opportunity for students throughout Oregon.”
“Supported by the Coalition for Communities of Color, Stand for Children, the Confederation of Oregon School Associations, the Oregon Education Association, the Oregon School Board Association, the Latino Network, NW Health Foundation, and the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon - this bill is a product of a diverse community of educators and advocates working together to improve outcomes for our students,” said Rep. Joe Gallegos (D-Hillsboro). “We have strong models across the state of schools and districts that are excelling at ELL instruction. Our goal with HB 3499B is to build a system that gives all students the tools needed to succeed.”
Source: Oregon House Democrats
