Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Accountability FAQ

Our team will continue to update the FAQ as needed. If you have questions, please email OREducationAccountability@ode.oregon.gov.

SB 141 strengthens Oregon’s public education system by creating a coherent, statewide approach to accountability and continuous improvement. It helps ensure that every one of Oregon’s 197 school districts has the guidance, tools, and support needed to help every K-12 student succeed.

Under this law, Oregon will:

  • Streamline processes to reduce administrative burden for both the state and school districts.
  • ​Expand statewide metrics to track student learning and growth more meaningfully.
  • Improve how student performance is measured throughout the year, helping educators respond in real time.
  • Require clear improvement goals from every district, focused on measurable student outcomes.
  • Set milestones for support and intervention, ensuring timely coaching and assistance when districts struggle to meet goals.
  • Build stronger state capacity to provide high-quality, consistent support through regional teams and coordinated systems.

Together, these changes will help Oregon move from a compliance-based model to one that emphasizes shared accountability, meaningful relationships, and continuous improvement—so every student, in every community, can thrive.

SB 141 adds several new performance metrics as indicated in the list below. ODE will develop a process for conducting annual reviews of each school district’s outcome data, based on seven performance growth targets and locally defined metrics:

  • Regular Attenders
  • K-2 Regular Attenders (New)
  • 3rd Grade Reading
  • 8th Grade Math (New)
  • 9th Grade On Track
  • 4-Year Graduation Rates
  • 5-Year Completion
  • ​Local Metric (New – districts will choose one local metric from five options that the State Board of Education adopts)

These measurements will help ODE understand not just whether districts are improving, but how they’re improving—and where additional support may be needed.

Oregon students deserve excellent schools that are accountable to their success. SB 141 ensures that state resources and attention are focused on delivering positive learning experiences and strong outcomes for every student, while closing long-standing gaps that affect historically underserved communities.

​

The bill creates a comprehensive statewide system of expectations, interventions, and supports—so that every child in every district is learning and thriving. It sets a clear focus on improving attendance, literacy, math proficiency, on-track graduation, and postsecondary success, helping Oregon make measurable, equitable progress over time.

Oregon educators are deeply committed to their students’ success, but they often face too many competing demands and not enough coordinated support. SB 141 responds directly to that challenge.

The bill will streamline and focus Oregon’s K-12 system on consistent, predictable priorities so educators can spend less time navigating competing initiatives and more time teaching. It also introduces more meaningful, real-time measures of student learning, giving teachers information they can use to adjust instruction and accelerate student growth.​

Ultimately, this bill is about making the system work for educators and students—creating clarity, consistency, and shared accountability that help every classroom thrive.

SB 141 gives Oregon’s 197 school districts a clearer, more supportive framework for continuous improvement. Rather than layering on new requirements, the bill streamlines reporting and planning processes, reducing administrative burden and freeing up time for teaching and learning.

​

Districts will receive consistent, aligned support through Regional Support Teams and the new ODE Support Suite – a centralized hub for coaching, professional learning, and technical assistance. These supports are designed to help districts identify their strengths and challenges, set meaningful goals, and take evidence-based actions that improve student outcomes.

Over time, this approach builds a stronger partnership between districts and the state – grounded in shared accountability, transparency, and trust – so that every district has the capacity and confidence to help every student succeed.

ODE will annually review all school districts’ progress toward meeting their performance growth targets across metrics for all students and disaggregated student groups. After 2 years of not meeting growth targets, districts will be required to accept coaching from ODE to address specific areas of need. After 3 or more years or not meeting growth targets, districts will be required to participate in an intensive coaching program with a dedicated team of experts to implement specific changes. After 4 or more years of not meeting growth targets, ODE will have the authority to direct up to 25% of a district’s State School Fund allocation toward investments most likely to improve student outcomes.

​

ODE has outlined its commitment and plans to prepare for this bill’s implementation in a detailed Action Plan that was submitted to the Governor’s Office and Legislature in July 2025. ODE has a strong foundation of subject matter expertise, deep relationships with district leaders, and a workforce committed to continuous learning. In addition, ODE already regularly collaborates with district and school leaders to improve student outcomes, so this work expands on that. ODE will continue to provide ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure staff are equipped to meet current and future needs.

​

No. In fact, one of the central goals of SB 141 is to reduce administrative burden so districts and educators can focus more on what matters most—supporting students.

​The bill will streamline funding applications, data reporting, and planning processes, replacing multiple disconnected requirements with a more coordinated system. By simplifying these expectations, district leaders and educators will have more time and capacity to focus on teaching, learning, and continuous improvement in their schools.

No. Statewide standardized assessments in grades 3-8 and 11 are required by federal law, so this bill does not impact the frequency or use of standardized tests. The bill instead directs school districts to adopt interim assessment systems, which are already used in a majority of Oregon districts and widely supported by educators as an effective tool to inform instruction and tailor strategies to boost student outcomes.

​

No. The law and ODE’s Implementation Plan calls for differentiated targets based on district type and context. Supports (like coaching and professional learning) are also tailored, and regional support teams will be available to ensure rural and under-resourced districts get hands-on help.

​

Unlike past reform efforts, school districts are not being asked to do something completely new or different. This bill builds upon the goals, strategies, and processes that already exist under Oregon’s 2019 Student Success Act, and establishes stronger supports and interventions to help districts meet local and statewide performance growth targets. This bill also learns from failed federal education reform and accountability efforts by focusing on support and improvement rather than withholding resources or punishing schools.

​

Every state has some form of K-12 accountability system to ensure public schools are delivering positive outcomes for students. Research shows the most successful states prioritize simplicity and transparency; set clear statewide expectations and goals; consistently track student outcomes across multiple metrics; and actively support improvement at the school, district, and state levels.

​Right now, Oregon relies on a complex web of reporting requirements and compliance standards that have not adequately driven—and sometimes even hindered—improvement across the state’s 197 locally governed school districts. This bill follows the research and incorporates lessons from other states, like Mississippi and Louisiana, that have significantly improved school quality and student outcomes through meaningful accountability systems.