January 26, 2023 3:20 a.m.

On Wednesday, the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in support of School Choice Week.

A release said the week runs January 22nd through January 28th and highlights the importance of “…giving parents a choice and students the best opportunity at a high-quality education”. The HRC caucus said as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon’s students with disabilities have faced major setbacks and have struggled to to access vital resources. The release said, “Despite record funding for our public education system, Oregon’s high school graduation rate remains one of the worst in the nation”.

House Republican Leader Vicki Breese Iverson said, “Our students are struggling to meet the basic standards for reading, writing and arithmetic. Doing what is best for our students, should be the priority”. Breese Iverson said that is why the HRC has proposed legislation relating to school choice in the 2023 Legislative Session, focusing on removing limits on charter school requirements and ensuring that “…our state dollars actually follow the student”.

State Representative Boomer Wright of Reedsport said, “As a former educator and administrator with over 30 years of experience, I understand firsthand that a one size fits all approach to education does not work. Our students are facing serious setbacks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we need to provide parents with every resource possible to do what is best for their child.  Every student learns differently”.

The release said three of the House Republican Caucus’ proposed bills relating to school choice, include: HB 2557, HB 2681 and HB 2730.

More information about National School Choice Week is linked: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/