January 2026 Education Update

Oregon Achieves... Together!

A Message from Oregon Department of Education Director Dr. Charlene Williams

Dear Education Community,

I hope you were all able to get some rest and relaxation over the past few weeks and are starting off the year with renewed energy as we head into 2026.

Moving Forward With Accountability

At ODE, our December was very busy! The State Board approved the first rules stemming from the passage of Senate Bill 141, thus furthering this new era of educational accountability in Oregon. These rules established the metrics that will be used to see where our system is doing well and where more attention is needed. On February 19, the State Board will address the targets for those metrics and later in the year, ODE will produce guidance documents to support next steps.

SB 141 also requires regular updates from ODE to lawmakers on the progress that has been made in implementing this landmark legislation. Our first progress report was sent to the legislature last month, and I encourage you to read it over to learn more about what we’ve done so far and what to expect down the road. And then, stay up to date by bookmarking the Accountability page on the ODE website. That’s where you will always find the most up-to-date information.

Thank You, School Boards

January is School Board Appreciation Month. I want to thank each and every school board member from Oregon’s 197 school districts, 19 Education Service Districts and, of course, the State Board of Education. These education advocates work tirelessly on behalf of Oregon’s scholars, putting policies in place aimed at improving education outcomes. On behalf of all of us at ODE, thank you for your commitment to education, your passion for improving our schools, and your willingness to serve your communities.

Remembering the Legacy of Dr. King

Speaking of serving your community, this month also brings the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 1994, the commemoration of his birthday is not only a federal holiday, it is also a National Day of Service and an opportunity to teach students about hope, justice, compassion, and love. It’s a time to put into action the words of Dr. King, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” I hope we can remind the youth in Oregon that this is a special holiday rooted in giving and selflessness: you can check for Day of Service events in your area or make your own by helping out a neighbor or cleaning up in local areas.

2025 was rife with moments of stress, worry, uncertainty, and, for many, exhaustion and despair. Unfortunately, for countless people in our communities, 2026 has begun with a similar mix of heavy emotions. However, I would urge you to continue to believe in humanity’s ability to overcome injustice and to heed Dr. King’s call to action, not only in our communities, but in ourselves. I believe that in this moment, he would want to remind us that while disappointment is finite, we must “never lose infinite hope.”

Here’s to a 2026 filled with unbounded hope.

In Love and Justice,

Dr. Charlene Williams

Community Conversations

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) recently held a meaningful Community Conversation with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, marking the first in a series of engagements with all nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon. The evening was well attended, and we were grateful for the opportunity to gather with community members, educators, and partners to listen, learn, and strengthen relationships.

The conversation provided valuable insight into what is currently working well within the community, as well as the needs, priorities, and hopes for the years ahead. Hearing directly from community members reaffirmed the importance of creating space for shared dialogue and ensuring Tribal voices continue to guide and inform our work in education.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who spent the evening with us and shared their time, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to applying what we learned to future efforts and to the ongoing work of supporting American Indian and Alaska Native students across Oregon. We look forward to continuing these Community Conversations with the remaining Tribes in the months ahead!

Plan for the 2026 EVE Workforce Survey!

Oregon’s 2026 Elevating Voices in Education (EVE) Workforce Survey will open on Monday, February 2 and close on Tuesday, March 31.

The EVE Workforce Survey is a free, anonymous and confidential survey designed to gather insights from the public education workforce about their workplace experiences in order to provide actionable information to the state and districts.

What is Required?

ORS 342.676 requires public education providers (districts, charter schools, ESDs, YCEP/JDEP, Oregon School for the Deaf, and long-term care or treatment facilities) to provide staff with an opportunity to participate in the EVE Workforce Survey.

Who Should Take the Survey?

Licensed, classified, and contracted staff. The law requires staff members to be informed of and provided an opportunity to complete the EVE Workplace Survey, but staff participation in the survey is voluntary.

What’s New in the 2026 Survey?

The EVE Workforce Survey has 25% fewer questions and includes four optional opportunities for educators to share more about their sense of belonging, workplace stress and other critical survey domains.

Get the Word Out

Please share this Save the Date Flyer with your staff electronically. We also recommend sharing it in person (e.g., at a staff meeting or posting where it can be easily accessed).

Contact Us

If you have any questions about accessing or completing the EVE Workforce Survey please visit the EVE Workforce Survey website or contact ODE.edstaffsurvey@ode.oregon.gov.

2026 Annual PIT Count

Schools play an essential role in ensuring that Oregon has accurate data on students experiencing housing instability. The annual 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, which occurs the last week of January, is a critical effort to understand housing instability in our communities across the state.

Historically, children and youth have been underrepresented in our state's data, and this information is crucial to securing funding and enhancing housing services. While not required, your district’s involvement in this year’s data collection makes a difference in shaping support and solutions for students and youth who need it.

The Oregon Department of Education is offering technical assistance to districts on January 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. for those who are interested in participating in the reporting efforts. Register online for this webinar. Then check out this informational resource that explains more about the PIT Count and how to get involved. By working together, we can ensure a more comprehensive representation of our needs across the state.

ODE In the News

OPB reported on the results of the SEED survey that ODE offers to students all over the state to hear about their experiences at their schools.
The Lincoln County Leader looked at how Career Technical Education (CTE) works in Oregon.
OPB covered the December State Board meeting where the first set of accountability rules were adopted to comply with Senate Bill 141, passed by lawmakers last year.

Student Spotlight

The Coos Bay World spotlighted a local 10th grader who came in first in his category in the K-12 National Chess Championships.
Lookout Eugene-Springfield talked with Eugene 4-J students getting hands-on learning about the life cycle of salmon.
KATU went to Findley Elementary School (Beaverton SD) to talk with students helping babies in a local intensive care unit stay warm.

Nominations are Open for the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year

The Oregon Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across the state. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12.

Do you know a teacher who should be considered for this distinction? Nominate them now! Nominations are open statewide through 5:00 p.m. on February 11, 2026.

What happens after nominations close in February?

All eligible teachers* who have been nominated will be invited to submit an application. Candidates who apply will then be in the running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year in one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state in September.

Finalists for the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be selected from amongst the regional winners by a blue-ribbon panel. Following additional application questions and interviews, the panel will then select the state honoree. Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives an award of $10,000, as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.

"My experience thus far as Oregon Teacher of the Year has been nothing short of humbling, exhilarating, heartwarming, and amazing, and my time has only just begun,” said Sally Golden, Oregon’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. “This honor is for every student, parent, educational assistant, specialist, support staff, teacher, administrator, and community partner who has contributed to and taken part in the beauty and magic that is the Springfield Community Transition Program. I am beyond excited to represent my program, my district, and my state and hope to make everyone proud!"

The Oregon Teacher of the Year will also submit an application to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.

If you have questions about the program, please reach out to the Oregon Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator, Michelle Goodness.

*Prior to nominating, we encourage you to review the Oregon Teacher of the Year eligibility requirements - please see the “About” section on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.

Elevating Education-System Employee Wellness

Welcome back from break and to the first wellness column of 2026! To support education-system employee wellness, the ODE School Wellness, Inclusion Safety & Health Unit features a monthly article in the Education Update. Creating a culture of belonging and wellness for education-system employees leads to higher levels of professional satisfaction and promotes employee retention and well-being, which creates a ripple effect that impacts student success!

Part of the landscape of employee well-being includes looking at the entire workforce continuum from recruitment through retirement (and everything in between!). This month we will pick up where we left off in December’s column about Transformative Social Emotional Learning (TSEL), how it connects to adult well-being, and the intersection of TSEL and the work being done to support educator preparation programs. What was taught 5, 10, 15 years ago may or may not align with the skills and resources that are needed in 2026. To that end, we invited a colleague from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) to share some thoughts and resources.

Nurturing a Thriving Teacher Pipeline Upstream – Kristen Rush, TSPC

Across Oregon, educator preparation faculty are working with purpose and care to prepare future teachers to step into classrooms grounded, confident, and ready to support all students. Since the launch of the TSEL standards, faculty have deepened their focus on the social, emotional, and cultural growth of adults, recognizing that educators deserve to thrive and flourish not only for their students, but for their own well-being. Faculty weave evidence-based SEL practices and culturally sustaining approaches throughout entire programs and content areas, ensuring that well-being is not an add-on but an essential thread of professional identity. They reimagine candidate learning experiences so future teachers practice building strong relationships, meeting challenges with compassion, and creating classrooms where every child is a capable and confident learner.

Faculty also tend to their own well-being, supporting one another through communities grounded in collaboration, care, and emotional awareness. Their way of teaching becomes a way of being, offering candidates lived examples of what healthy, human-centered education can be.

These upstream efforts are already strengthening schools. Candidates enter classrooms more prepared to support students and themselves. By placing adult well-being at the heart of preparation, faculty help cultivate a future where educators flourish and school communities thrive.

Many thanks to Kristin Rush from TSPC for this contribution.

Wellness Spotlight: Mt Hood Community College

As we all know, the definition of well-being varies from person to person, and even from season to season. This means that the most effective educator well-being programs don’t take a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, they work to offer a variety of well-being supports that take staff needs, interests, and barriers into account.

As a Flourish Grantee from Oregon Well-Being Trust, Mt. Hood Community College is an organization that works hard to offer diverse and accessible well-being activities for all of their staff. They utilize staff knowledge and experience in their well-being program and aim to make their program responsive to staff feedback. They’ve hosted everything from weekly drop-in yoga classes to a grow-your-own mushroom class utilizing staff feedback and expertise.

Char Lede, Wellness Coordinator at MHCC, had this to say about their educator well-being work: “We recognize that wellness takes many forms. Staff are encouraged to foster their well-being in a way that aligns with their goals and interests through our different initiatives.”

If you are interested in cultivating Employee Well-Being in your school, district or ESD, please check out ODE’s Employee Well-Being website or reach out to ODE.HealthySchools@ode.oregon.gov for more resources and information.