Streamlining Reports & Grant Consolidation: Pilot Project Underway
Every year, Oregon school districts face a heavy grant reporting lift—250 questions, 57 assurances, and 46 different submission methods. That’s time and energy taken away from what matters most: supporting students.
As part of Senate Bill 141 (the 2025 Education Accountability Act), the legislature has directed ODE to simplify grant reporting and align it more closely with student success priorities. ODE is answering that call through its Streamlining Reports & Grant Consolidation initiative, which is focused on reducing paperwork, aligning deadlines, providing timely feedback, and better connecting budgets and reporting to student outcome goals.
The Pilot Project
To put these ideas into action, ODE has launched a pilot project with 34 districts. The goal is to test a unified reporting process that uses one form, one budget, and one submission for most grants. The ultimate goal is to relieve administrative burden, so districts and schools can focus more on students.
Progress So Far
Over the past month, the pilot team has:
- Defined the initial scope of grants and reports included in the project.
- Brought on Watershed Advisors, a consulting group with experience leading similar efforts in three other states.
- Successfully held a kick-off meeting with participation from all 34 pilot districts.
- Begun a legal review of grant statutes to establish baseline requirements.
- Started analyzing and aligning reporting due dates to reduce administrative burden.
What’s Next
ODE and pilot districts will meet this month, where the team will continue building the framework for a streamlined, student-focused approach to district reporting.
This work is just the beginning of an effort that will ultimately make state reporting more efficient, more transparent, and more connected to the outcomes that matter for Oregon students.
Apply to Join Oregon’s New Literacy Advisory Roundtable
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is excited to announce the launch of a Literacy Advisory Roundtable – a new opportunity for educators, advocates, students and partners to help shape the future of literacy in Oregon. As the Early Literacy Success Initiative enters its second biennium and new efforts begin, ODE invites literacy leaders to continue shaping this important work by applying to join the Roundtable.
Purpose of the Literacy Advisory Roundtable
The Roundtable will convene virtually for 90 minutes every other month, beginning in October 2025. Members will:
- Provide feedback on statewide literacy initiatives and strategic planning
- Offer input on the implementation of literacy policies and legislation
- Identify and recommend strategies to support alignment of literacy efforts across districts and Education Service Districts (ESD)
The Roundtable will bring together voices from across Oregon’s literacy community. ODE seeks diverse membership, including:
- Practicing educators, school and district administrators, ESD and Tribal leaders
- Literacy researchers
- Students
- Advocacy and community-based organizations focused on literacy
- State agencies such as the Educator Advancement Council, Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Department of Early Learning and Care and State Library of Oregon
- Professional organizations such as the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, Oregon Education Association, Oregon Association of Education Service Districts, Oregon School Employees Association and Oregon Association for Bilingual Education
How to Apply for the Roundtable
Members will be selected through an open application process, with priority given to individuals who bring direct experience and expertise in literacy education, policy and/or advocacy. ODE will seek membership that represents a variety of perspectives, including small, rural and urban/suburban communities, as well as historically underserved communities in Oregon. ODE is also seeking student representation, so students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate a commitment to literacy and advancing equitable literacy outcomes across Oregon
- Highlight their experience as a practicing educator, administrator, researcher or advocate from an organization focused on literacy, early learning or educational equity
- Commit 3-5 hours every other month for virtual meetings (after the school day) and to complete preparatory work
- Contribute actively to discussions, workgroups and recommendations
- Collaborate with statewide partners to align and support literacy initiatives
Timeline and Next Steps
To apply,
please complete this application in order to be considered for the Literacy Advisory Roundtable.
Applications are due by September 12, 2025. ODE will select and notify approximately 20 members by the end of September.
The first Literacy Advisory Roundtable meeting is scheduled for
October 9, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. We encourage you to apply and join this important statewide effort to ensure every Oregon student has the opportunity to succeed in literacy!
For More Information
If you have any questions, please email
k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov.
National School Lunch Week Is Approaching
National School Lunch Week is October 13-17. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of Child Nutrition Programs in schools.
We invite school board members and superintendents to eat with students during the week of October 13-17 to experience their nutritious and appealing local school lunches.
Encourage your school board to participate by planning lunch with students that week. All they need to do is reach out to school nutrition staff and building administrators before their visit. They are encouraged to post to social media about their experience using the #NSLW25inOR hashtag and the
ODE (@ORDeptEd) and
OSBA (@OSBANews) X handles.
Elevating Education-System Employee Wellness: Restorative Approaches for Building Healthier Workplaces
“Educator well-being is often approached in terms of self-care, with an overreliance on individual strategies and supports for well-being. Although well-intentioned, this approach can inadvertently put the onus on individuals to heal and care for themselves, ignoring the impacts of systems and structures on individual and collective well-being.”
In this month’s update, we’re focusing on creating a culture of care through restorative practices, and we’ve provided an update from Salem-Keizer Public Schools on how they’re working to improve the collective health of their employees.
Tending to the collective: Real impact in the workplace
Restorative practices are essential for creating a positive learning environment, building social capital, and resolving relational issues. Organizations using restorative practices see stronger collaboration, reduced turnover, and higher employee engagement. When people feel valued and respected—even during conflict—they’re more motivated to contribute their best. By focusing on interpersonal connections, we strengthen not only our internal teams, but also the relationships we build with families, caregivers, and students. This alignment ensures that the support we offer is consistent, credible, and deeply human-centered.
Why restorative practices work:
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Builds trust and connection – Conversations center on empathy and mutual respect, creating a culture where everyone feels heard.
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Addresses root causes – Restorative dialogue uncovers underlying issues, leading to more sustainable solutions.
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Promotes accountability – Individuals take ownership for their actions in ways that are constructive, not punitive.
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Boosts team resilience – Healthy conflict resolution strengthens teams for future challenges.
A restorative approach is not about avoiding difficult conversations—it’s about having them in a way that strengthens our workplace community. By investing in relationships, we create an environment where people—and the organization—can truly thrive.
Resources of Note:
- For introductory information on foundational concepts of Restorative Practices/Justice see the Current 2025 online introductory training opportunities
- Resource from JustOutcomes,
A New Era Towards a Restorative Approach for Workplace Culture, Conflict, and Crisis
- Resource from WestEd:
Restorative Ways of Being to Embody What is Possible: A Guide for Educational Leaders
Let’s keep the conversation going: How could a restorative approach benefit your team? ODE provides training and technical assistance for Education Service Districts, Districts, Schools, and Teams. Professional learning and team coaching are available for implementing, refining, and sustaining restorative approaches in schools and communities. For more information and consultation, contact Danica Jensen Weiner, Ed.D. ODE’s Educational Equity, Safety, and Restorative Justice Specialist at
danica.jensen.weiner@ode.oregon.gov.
Employee Wellness Spotlight: Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Thanks to Chris Moore, Director of Mental Health & Social-Emotional Learning with Salem-Keizer Public Schools for sharing the information below about the district using a multi-year
Education Employee Well-Being Grant to tend to the
interpersonal/collective health of their workforce.
"In a transformative move to amplify employee wellness, Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) is entering its second year of a comprehensive, three-year engagement with
The Teaching Well. This deep partnership provides staff with a robust suite of support services, including wellness coaching for leaders, district-wide workshops, wellness cabinet facilitation, and a full range of resonant professional learning opportunities. The impact of this collaboration was powerfully demonstrated at the SKPS Special Education & Behavioral Health Summit in August, where over 250 employees participated in the "Building Resilience in Stressful Times" workshop. The interactive session equipped attendees with tangible tools to navigate challenges with greater clarity and self-compassion. Participants engaged in somatic and mindful practices, learned to read their unique stress cues, and developed practical strategies for managing overwhelm. By creating personal resilience toolkits, staff left the session better prepared to support their well-being, showcasing just one facet of the district's growing investment in the social-emotional health of SKPS team members!"
How are you Elevating Education-System Employee Wellness?
We’d love to continue to hear from you to acknowledge the creative ways school districts, ESDs and communities are elevating employee wellness. If you are interested in being featured in future communications, please reach out to ODE’s Health in Education unit at
ode.healthyschools@ode.oregon.gov.
Student Spotlight