Our Vision
ODE aims to infuse high-need districts with resources, expertise, and support to elevate community voice in their schools. This work seeks to cause systemic changes in educational equity that will register as real change for students and families.
The Student Investment Account, under the Student Success Act, directs the Oregon Department of Education to “establish an intensive program for school districts with the highest needs in the state.” The Intensive Program is by invitation only, based on eligibility determined by the Department. School districts who are invited and accept invitation must participate in the program for at least four years. (ORS 327.222)
The Intensive Program aims to support districts in advancing equity, authentically engaging their community, and strengthen district systems and capacity. Participating districts receive additional grant-in-aid to supplement Student Investment Account resources.
A collaborative approach to recommendation and decision making is utilized through the formation of a Student Success Team, composed of both district and external personnel.
Student Success Teams
Student Success Teams are the core of the Intensive Program. Student Success Teams encompass two distinct bodies serving the district: advisory body and stewarding body.
The Advisory Body guides and advises the stewarding body on where to explore potential areas for recommendations. Included in this body could be Education Service District staff, additional Department staff, district contracted personnel, additional district educators (principals, teachers and classified staff), students and family and community members.
The stewarding body is made up of the superintendent, a board member or community member, teacher leader, three steward contractors (leadership, teaching and learning, and community), and the ODE point person. This seven-person body makes formal recommendations on how the additional grant-in-aid and SIA funding is utilized.
Internal Alignment in ODE
In addition to Student Success Teams, ODE staff meet regularly to support Intensive Program districts. Through cross Department collaboration, staff examine ways to reduce burden, align processes, and reexamine policy to dismantle systems that are detrimental to student and district success.