If you are one of many that look at bill sponsors to give you an idea of which way the bill might be leaning, that all goes out the window when a bill is “gut-and-stuffed.” Take for example HB 2962. It was introduced with bi-partisan sponsors directing school districts to evaluate instructional needs of students as a result of school closures due to COVID-19 and to report summaries of evaluations to Department of Education. But, before the first hearing took place, one of the sponsors proposed a “gut-and-stuff” amendment changing the trajectory of the bill.

Representative Teresa Alonso León (D- Woodburn) cosponsored HB 2962, but turned on her cosponsors and submitted an amendment that now requires the Legislative Policy and Research Director to conduct a study based on disaggregated data of student groups, including students from racial or ethnic groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, students who have a disability, economically disadvantaged students, students from different geographic regions of this state, students who are parents and students who are English language learners -- now in the Ways & Means Committee.

Science News reports that education researchers have found major flaws in the education policy aiming to have ability groupings as the norm in key subjects. Two new separate studies show that sorting school children into sets is neither an accurate way of assessing ability, nor is it beneficial to their learning. The study, which analyzed the results of different methods of teaching math in three American high schools, found that an approach that involved students not being divided into ability groups, but being given a shared responsibility for each other's learning, led to a significant improvement in the achievements of high and low achieving students alike. The approach had further benefits in that it taught students to take responsibility for each other and to regard that responsibility as an important part of life.

Professor Jo Boaler, Stanford associate professor of education, states that her "recent study of a new system of grouping in the US showed that the system benefited students at high and low levels and the high attaining students were the most advantaged by the mixed ability grouping, because they had opportunities to learn work in greater depth."

Studies that segregate are demoralizing the groups they are intended to benefit by singling them out for specific help. The studies show that challenging students equally and together produces far higher results.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

There are other useful research requirements in HB 2962, but it is now looking for one solution to fit the entire state and removes flexibility from school boards to adapt to their district’s own needs.

Other bills that tout this disaggregation of students into groups are:

• SB 227 appropriates moneys from General Fund to provide professional learning opportunities related to ethnic studies standards. (In Ways & Means Committee)
• HB 3363 establishes Racial Equity and Justice Student Collaborative work group to develop a process for individuals to apply to become a member of the collaborative. (In Ways & Means Committee)
• SB 732 requires school districts to establish educational equity advisory committee regarding the educational equity impacts of policy decisions and to inform district leaders when situations arise that negatively impact underrepresented students. (House floor vote June 14)
• SB 683 requires school districts to provide instruction on racist history of this country and state. Implements a 1619 Project-type curriculum. (Dead in committee)
• HB 2056 allows non-English students to fulfill graduation requirements by taking language arts classes in their native languages to satisfy diploma requirements English. (Governor signed)
• SB 227 provides professional learning opportunities related to ethnic studies standards adopted by department. (In Ways & Means Committee)
• SB 52 directs Department of Education to develop and implement statewide education plan for early childhood through post-secondary students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, nonbinary or another minority gender identity or gender orientation (In Ways & Means Committee).

We all agree that student’s reaction to the lockdowns went unnoticed too long and now we need to open our schools and let them thrive.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-13 07:43:40

Last Update: 2021-06-12 17:55:24