Thanks to the Red for Ed efforts of educators across the state last year, the parents, and community members who joined us, and legislators who listened to our stories and took action – we are at the beginning of a new era of education funding in Oregon.
As the district begins the process of implementing the Student Success Act, we want to make sure that the voices of our members are included and that the process is inclusive of historically under-represented students and families. The law requires school districts to meaningfully engage stakeholders to determine the best investments for students in their local community, while explicitly focusing on student mental and behavioral health, addressing disparities based on race or disability, and improving teaching and learning conditions.
This gives our community an opportunity for real dialogue: how can we build and nurture the collaborative, equitable and powerful educational system that we want for our students?
If we take advantage of this opportunity, the Student Success Act implementation process can create a new practice of authentic community engagement in our district.
Here’s how you can participate:
- Learn more about the Student Success Act using this Oregon Department of Education resource.
- Take our Student Success Act survey, and share it with parents, students and community members using these links: bit.ly/BEAsurveySSA (in English) and bit.ly/encuestaSSA (in Spanish). This needs assessment includes a research-based inventory of the qualities of a strong public school. We will be publishing this data and it will be used in conjunction with the district’s needs assessment data.
- Attend one of the BSD Community Conversations to talk with parents and community members about Beaverton schools. Invite parents, guardians, family members and neighbors to attend with you. These community meetings are is a way to build bridges in our community, and bring together educators, parents and community members to create a shared vision for student success.
- Start conversations! Bring up the Student Success Act in the staff room, at Back to School Night or conferences, with students, with your neighbors, etc. Talk about your professional experience as an educator and the needs that you see and invite others to get involved.
- Attend a PTO meeting at your school to talk with parents about the Student Success Act and encourage them to learn more, participate in surveys and attend Community Conversations and BSD School Board meetings.