Fundamental educational reform, based in part on the establishment of charter schools and school choice, is one area in which most Republicans and many Democrats agree. Democrats for Educational Reform, and Barack Obama’s Department of Education concur that expansion of charter schools is necessary.

Efforts to research and promote and establish charter schools have been funded by benevolent foundations from all across the political spectrum. The Democrats for Educational Reform and President Obama’s Department of Education are strong supporters of the establishment of charter schools – particularly the so-called “No Excuses” charter schools which are characterized by small size, frequent testing, a long school day and year, selective teacher hiring, a strong student work ethic, and an emphasis on discipline and comportment. These schools are proven successes; preparing inner city children for college in New York, Boston, and New Orleans – hardly Republican strongholds. Although Portland has good charter schools like SEI, it is exceedingly difficult to establish schools like the KIPP academy and Harlem Success schools in Portland.

This year the Oregon Legislature passed bills to ease requirements for starting charter schools, allowing sponsorship by public colleges. Legislation allows virtual charter schools to continue to operate and expand. And now, Oregon students may transfer to any public school in the state that will accept them without permission of home district school. Suzanne Bonamici voted “no” to all three bills. Brad Witt voted against two, and Brad Avakian is a strong advocate of the anti-school- choice organizations opposed the passage of each of these laws.

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Legislators also implemented what Ferrioli called a form of flat budgeting – using the last legislatively approved figures as a starting point, rather than building in projected cost increases.

Ferrioli said the education reforms should boost choice and competitiveness in the school system. Bills passed in the session will let students enroll in the school district of their choice, expand options for virtual charter schools, and allow community colleges and universities to create charter schools.

Another major change for education is shifting the duties of Superintendent of Public Instruction into the governor’s office, which will tap an expert board to examine spending options for education, from kindergarten to graduate school. The goal, he said, is to make decisions that truly improve education.

For the rest of the article, go to Mixed results from Sunday school legislature