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POLICY & ADVOCACY

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The Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools works to shape public policy and opinion that supports charter school quality and growth at the local, state, and federal level. 

OUR LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY | As Oregon seeks to rectify inequities in educational outcomes, policies should support families from historically underserved communities that feel their children’s needs can best be met in the charter school setting.

 

FAIR FUNDING | Charter schools’ potential is compromised when they are expected to do more with less. Funding formulas and grants should be aligned to ensure students in public charter schools are not receiving less support than their counterparts.

 

AUTONOMY & ACCOUNTABILITY | Autonomy in exchange for accountability is the best way for charter schools to support innovation in Oregon education. Real accountability should reflect development of the whole child and provide a basis for improving educational outcomes.

2023 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Oregon's charter schools are almost solely funded through the State School Fund (SSF). Our K - 8 grade charter schools are required, by Oregon state law, to receive at least 80% of the SSF dollars allocated to public schools, per pupil. Our high school grades are required to receive at least 95% of the SSF dollars allocated to public schools, per pupil.

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Our 2023 Legislative Priorities for Education Funding focus on the State School Fund and Student Success Act. Our Policy Priorities include PERS equity, Ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, and addressing state mandates.

ORC3S ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

The advocacy committee is organized to aid in the development and implementation of an annual advocacy & legislative agenda for ORC3S. Advocacy Committee members are appointed by the ORC3S Board of Directors from interested member school representatives. The committee makes recommendations to the ORC3S Board of Directors for determination of the organization’s advocacy and legislative agenda.

 

The committee consists of Cecile Enright (REACH School), Jonathan Bilden (Crater Lake Charter), Jon Bullock (Redmond Proficiency Academy), Seanna Bloemer (Alliance Charter Academy), Sheryl Zimmerer (Logos Public Charter School), and Thomas McGregor (Phoenix School of Roseburg).

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For more information about the Advocacy Committee please contact us.

ADVOCACY DECISION-MAKING FRAMEWORK

The Advocacy Committee develops the ORC3S advocacy and legislative agenda annually by seeking feedback on priorities from ORC3S member schools, assessing the current political and policy landscape, and reviewing the organization’s statement of principles.

The team works to ensure that proposed legislation will:
 

  • Support and expand Charter schools that innovate in instructional and operational practices;
     

  • Increase funding equity for charter schools at the federal, state and local level;
     

  • Ensure that charter school students have access to the same programs and educational opportunities as traditional public school students
     

  • Increase charter school facilities access and equity
     

  • Strengthen and maintain charter school autonomy
     

  • Continue to hold charter schools accountable for student performance, fiscal responsibility, effective governance, equitable access for students
     

  • Improve charter school authorizing practices and measures of accountability

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