FUND OREGON SCHOOLS, Advocacy, fully-funded schools, public schools

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ABOUT

OUR MISSION

Do you know how our schools are funded?

It's a unique funding model that doesn't do justice to our schools, yet affects the school experience for every child. We need to put pressure on our lawmakers at the state level, to address the ways in which Revenue Reform can help bring success to Oregon's schools.

According to the 2024 QEM Report, we needed the legislature to allocate $13.526 billion from the General Fund (combined with the Student Success Act funding) to provide a quality education for the 2025-2027 biennium. Instead public education was funded at $11.4 Billion, which has led to cuts across the state.

ADVOCACY NOW

Contact Lawmakers - Oregon State Legislative Short Session, Feb-Mar 2026

As of this week there are 4 key legislative issues that we ALL need to be aware of. The legislative session is a short session this year, running from Feb 2 to Mar 9, so now is the time to communicate the following demands to your lawmakers:

1. No Cuts to Education Spending in 2026

Oregon is facing a massive funding shortfall. Ask your representatives to strongly oppose any cuts to education spending to avoid catastrophic midyear cuts to education programs. Ask them to instead draw on reserve funds (the Education Stability Fund and the Corporate Activity Tax - CAT) to protect our schools. PPS alone stands to lose $50

million next year. This is going to hurt. We can’t let this happen.

2. Vote a firm YES! on the Revenue Forecast Modernization Act

(HB 4125)

This is the “Reform the Kicker” act proposed by SE Portlander, Representative Gamba. This bill would create an accurate revenue process that would allow the state to properly budget for schools, etc. As written, the kicker disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Oregonians, returning money to them while we under-budget year after year. Read this OpEd that discusses reasons to kick the kicker.

3. De-couple Oregon's tax rate from the federal tax rate

Under the policy known as “rolling reconnect,” Oregon’s tax code automatically replicates many changes in the federal tax code. As a result, corporate tax breaks created by Congress often become Oregon state law automatically and increasingly concentrate wealth among the few. Oregon must create tax policies that align with wider public interest and that care for Oregonians. Read this OpEd discussing reasons to reform our tax policy.

4. Strongly Oppose Bill SB 1555: the QEM Revision

This bill’s impact would be catastrophic to public education. SB 1555 intends to revise the (admittedly flawed) Quality Education Model (QEM) that is used as a metric for education goals and sets to shift public education into a system dependent on contracts awarded based on the sole discretion of an unelected administrator, with little public oversight. It would drastically change learning goals from those aimed at a broad educational approach to those focused on narrow metrics and assessments, and would be the first step to limiting funding for schools. Read this Oregon PTA primer for more information.

If letter-writing is too much to take on right now, a simple postcard or email saying, “No cuts to education spending!” / “Please pursue all legislative options to fund our public schools!” / “Fund Our Schools!” helps! Get on social media and tag your legislators. Our lawmakers often say they don’t hear from constituents enough about education - we MUST change this! Find your legislator here. The future of Oregon is our children, and the education they receive is what can set our state up for success!

Let's make this happen!

TREATMENTS

GET INVOLVED

Join us for a day in Salem to build community & advocate for our schools. You'll have the chance to:

Connect with parents & community advocates
Speak directly with your legislator
Demand full & equitable funding for public schools through revenue reform
Have your voice heard!

2026 Salem Lobby Day (Instagram Post) ENG.png

en español

See you in Salem!

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