{"id":2096732,"date":"2023-11-10T18:38:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T23:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-student-success-in-oregon-plummets-teachers-unions-deserve-blame\/"},"modified":"2023-11-10T18:42:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T23:42:26","slug":"as-student-success-in-oregon-plummets-teachers-unions-deserve-blame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-student-success-in-oregon-plummets-teachers-unions-deserve-blame\/","title":{"rendered":"As Student Success In Oregon Plummets, Teachers\u2019 Unions Deserve Blame"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fas-student-success-in-oregon-plummets-teachers-unions-deserve-blame%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2096732&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2><b>The Oregon Education Association: Breaking\u2064 Promises and Failing Students<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to\u200b public education in Oregon, the Oregon Education Association (OEA) makes a <a href=\"https:\/\/oregoned.org\/about-oea\">bold promise<\/a>: \u201cto provide\u200b the basic right of great public education to every student.\u201d The union\u2019s direct involvement in school closures and watering down basic \u200cgraduation requirements, however, indicates the opposite. In truth, the OEA has played an essential role in the deterioration of Oregon\u2019s public schools.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><b>COVID \u2063School Shutdowns<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>In response to the COVID pandemic, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, whom OEA endorsed, ordered the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salemreporter.com\/2020\/03\/18\/school-closures-in-salem-around-oregon-extended-through-april-governor-orders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statewide closure<\/a> of schools for over a year. During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlive.com\/education\/2020\/03\/coronavirus-closure-wont-lead-to-online-classes-in-oregon-public-schools-this-is-why.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first six weeks<\/a> of Brown\u2019s \u200bshutdowns, no online alternative was offered to\u200c students enrolled in public schools. In response, thousands of Oregon families began the process of transferring their \u200bchildren to Oregon\u2019s \u2064online charter\u2062 school programs.<\/p>\n<p>That is, until the OEA\u200d stepped in. Citing a 2011 law that sets a three percent\u200b enrollment cap for \u200cstudents transferring to online education in the state, the <a href=\"https:\/\/olis.oregonlegislature.gov\/liz\/2019I1\/Downloads\/CommitteeMeetingDocument\/222653\">OEA argued<\/a> that even\u200b a one-half-of-one-percent increase would redirect\u2064 $55.5 million from district budgets. Siding with \u2063the OEA, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE)\u200c not only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlive.com\/education\/2020\/03\/oregons-online-schools-also-subject-to-gov-kate-browns-coronavirus-closure-order-report.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">placed a temporary hold<\/a> on virtual education enrollment, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bendbulletin.com\/opinion\/guest-column-gov-brown-and-oea-shut-down-online-charter-schools\/article_32cad56e-8336-11ea-b53b-ffedbd758d7c.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">included<\/a> all publicly funded online schools in statewide closures despite zero risk of COVID exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1uh0y7LjzOzMW4lB95LmdRvjBlyxGsNDC\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email correspondence<\/a> reveals that the OEA not only developed a set of strict standards for return to in-person instruction for the ODE, but requested that\u200d the state \u201cput pressure\u201d on Oregon school districts to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-student-success-in-oregon-plummets-teachers-unions-deserve-blame\/\" title=\"As Student Success In Oregon Plummets, Teachers\u2019 Unions Deserve Blame\">adopt similar requirements preventing students<\/a> \u2063from returning to the \u2064classroom.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Graduation Requirement Suspensions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Prior to the\u2062 pandemic, Oregon students \u2063were \u2063required to\u200c demonstrate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/ode\/educator-resources\/essentialskills\/pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">basic proficiency<\/a> in reading, writing, and math through statewide standardized testing. Naturally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-youngkin-rescinds-crt-inspired-programs\/\" title=\"Gov. Youngkin Rescinds CRT-Inspired Programs\">learning loss caused<\/a> \u200cby school closures led to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ivy-league-schools-lower-admissions-standards-in-anticipation-of-scotus-ending-affirmative-action\/\" title=\"Ivy League Schools Lower Admissions Standards In Anticipation of SCOTUS Ending Affirmative Action\">lower test scores<\/a>. But instead of focusing on helping students get back on track academically, the Oregon Board of Education discarded standardized testing graduation requirements entirely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/ode\/educator-resources\/essentialskills\/pages\/default.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">through the \u20642023-2024 school\u200d year<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The OEA played an \u200cactive role in the passage of <a href=\"https:\/\/olis.oregonlegislature.gov\/liz\/2021R1\/Downloads\/MeasureDocument\/SB744\/Enrolled\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">legislation<\/a> that authorized the\u2062 suspension of graduation requirements. A member of the OEA\u2019s Special Education Committee boasted that the committee \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/oregoned.org\/professional-excellence\/leadership-development\/member-spotlight\/niels-pasternak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">helped to develop<\/a>\u2026and helped OEA pass\u2026Senate Bill\u2064 744 during the last legislative session\u201d to address\u2064 \u201c<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">several \u200dequity concerns<\/span>\u201d\u2063 surrounding Oregon\u2019s graduation requirements. \u2064On October 19, \u2064the Board of Education voted unanimously to <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.sos.state.or.us\/oard\/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=306489\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extend the OEA-endorsed suspension<\/a> through the\u2063 2027-2028 school year.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Continued School Closures<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>As if a year of school closures wasn\u2019t enough, roughly \u200c45,000 students in Oregon\u2019s largest school district continue to lose out on instructional time due \u200bto the Portland Association of Teachers\u2019 (PAT) <a href=\"https:\/\/labornotes.org\/2023\/11\/first-ever-strike-portland-teachers-tackles-student-needs#:~:text=The%20Portland%20Association%20of%20Teachers,cost%2Dof%2Dliving%20adjustments.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">inaugural strike<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to typical demands such as increased \u2063salaries and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/psaki-biden-does-not-support-making-130b-for-schools-in-stimulus-contingent-on-schools-reopening\/\" title=\"Psaki: Biden Does Not Support Making 0B For Schools In Stimulus Contingent On Schools Reopening\">smaller class sizes<\/a>, the union\u2019s proposal includes <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.nationbuilder.com\/pdxteachers\/pages\/1673\/attachments\/original\/1678819362\/PAT_Bargaining_Platform_-_QR_petition_edition.pdf?1678819362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fringe stipulations<\/a> that have little to do with education, such as district support for first-time house buyers, housing assistance for families, and professional development with a focus \u200bon \u201caddressing implicit bias, anti-racism, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-bill-defines-merit-as-those-who-have-received-anti-bias-training-teachers-without-merit-may-be-laid-off\/\" title=\"Oregon Bill Defines \u2018Merit\u2019 As Those Who Have Received \u2018Anti-Bias\u2019 Training; Teachers Without Merit May Be Laid Off\">culturally responsive practices<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u2063union\u2019s demands come with an enormous \u2062price tag and would require the district to come up with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlive.com\/education\/2023\/11\/portland-public-schools-strike-what-you-need-to-know.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">additional $372 million<\/a> over the next three years. If the OEA affiliate refuses to budge, Portland Public \u200dSchools may need to \u200dfire up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.portlandmercury.com\/news\/2023\/11\/01\/46822117\/portland-teachers-strike-district-asks-state-for-money-teachers-say-hold-the-line\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">300 current teachers<\/a> to balance the district budget.<\/p>\n<h2><b>OEA And The Future Of Oregon Education<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>As student success continues to decline in Oregon, it\u2019s clear that the\u2063 Oregon Education Association has broken its promise to ensure \u201cgreat public education\u201d for students. In truth, every action that the OEA has taken regarding school closures and\u200c graduation\u2062 requirements has\u200c solidified\u2063 the deterioration of public education on the taxpayer\u2019s dime.<\/p>\n<p>The OEA\u2019s willingness to\u2063 leave students behind is in stark\u2063 contrast to its <a href=\"https:\/\/oregoned.org\/about-oea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mission\u200d statement<\/a> and begs the question of which promise the OEA will break next. OEA members, \u2062parents,\u2062 and the \u2064Board of Education need to take a closer look at the union\u2019s impact on education and\u200b act accordingly. The future \u200dof \u2062Oregon\u2019s students \u2063depends on it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Jason Dudash is the Northwest Director of\u2064 the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.freedomfoundation.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Freedom Foundation.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and\u200b do not necessarily represent\u2064 those of The Daily Wire.<\/em><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2>Eding the academic\u200d progress of students, the OEA should strive to create an environment that fosters learning and promotes educational excellence<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ducation. These include requiring the\u2063 district to provide free housing for teachers, mandating gender-neutral restrooms in every school, and implementing ethnic studies curriculum. The strike\u200c has resulted in canceled classes and disrupted \u200dlearning for thousands of\u2064 students.<\/p>\n<p>It is clear\u200d that the OEA prioritizes its own agenda over the needs of \u2062Oregon\u200c students. By advocating for and endorsing policies\u2064 that result\u200b in \u200bprolonged school\u200c closures, the OEA has failed to provide the &#8220;great public education&#8221; it promises to every student.\u2064 The \u2064union&#8217;s actions have only served to further widen the\u2063 educational achievement gap \u2063and hinder the academic progress of Oregon&#8217;s young \u200clearners.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, by pressuring the Oregon Department of Education to impose strict standards for in-person instruction \u2064and prevent students \u2064from returning to the classroom,\u2064 the OEA has disregarded the varied needs and circumstances of individual students and families. \u2062The union&#8217;s insistence on a\u2063 one-size-fits-all approach to education disregards \u2064the\u200c fact that \u2063some students may thrive in an in-person learning environment while others may require alternative options.<\/p>\n<p>The suspension of graduation requirements, another OEA-endorsed action,\u200d undermines the importance \u200dof academic proficiency and lowers the standards for student achievement. While \u200cit is important to address equity concerns and support \u2063students with special needs, the wholesale abandonment of standardized testing and graduation requirements sends a \u2064message that academic excellence is no longer a priority in Oregon&#8217;s public schools.<\/p>\n<p>The continued \u2062school closures caused by the strike organized by \u2063the \u2064Portland Association \u200cof Teachers\u2062 further illustrate \u2064the \u2063OEA&#8217;s failure to prioritize the education \u200dof Oregon students.\u200b By including unrelated demands in their proposal and disrupting instructional time, the\u200c union has shown\u200c a \u2063lack of concern for the negative impact \u200don students&#8217; \u200bacademic progress and overall \u200bwell-being.<\/p>\n<p>The Oregon Education Association must prioritize the needs of students above all else. It is time for the OEA to reassess its actions and policies, and to genuinely focus on providing the high-quality education that every student deserves. Instead of imp<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>role in undermining the quality of public education in Oregon. Despite their promise to ensure great education for all students, the OEA&#8217;s interference in school closures and lowering graduation standards suggests otherwise. Their actions have been detrimental to the state&#8217;s education system, contradicting their supposed commitment to students&#8217; rights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2548,"featured_media":2096733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2096732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2096732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2548"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2096732"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2096732\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2096733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2096732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2096732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2096732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}