From Ballotpedia | K-12 education in Oregon | |
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| Education facts | |
| State superintendent: Charlene Williams | |
| Number of students: 581,849 | |
| Number of teachers: 29,799 | |
| Teacher/pupil ratio: 1:19.5 | |
| Number of school districts: 197 | |
| Number of schools: 1,246 | |
| Graduation rate: 80% | |
| Per-pupil spending: $12,855 | |
| See also | |
| Oregon Department of Education • List of school districts in Oregon • Oregon • School boards portal | |
Public education in the United States Public education in Oregon Glossary of education terms | |
| Note: These statistics are mainly from government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. Figures given were the most recent as of October 2022. | |
The Oregon public school system (prekindergarten through grade 12) operates within districts governed by locally elected school boards and superintendents. In 2022, Oregon had 581,849 students enrolled in a total of 1,246 schools in 197 school districts. There were 29,799 teachers in the public schools, or roughly one teacher for every 20 students, compared to the national average of 1:16. In 2020, Oregon spent on average $12,855 per pupil.[1] The state's graduation rate was 80 percent in the 2018-2019 school year.[2]
The following chart shows how Oregon compares to the national level for the most recent years for which data is available.
| Public education in Oregon | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Schools | Districts | Students | Teachers | Teacher to pupil ratio | Per pupil spending* | |
| Oregon | 1,246 | 197 | 581,849 | 29,799 | 1:19.5 | $12,855 | |
| United States | 90,323 | 13,194 | 47,755,383 | 2,783,705 | 1:16 | $13,494 | |
| *Per pupil spending data reflects information reported for fiscal year 2020. Sources: Education statistics in the United States | |||||||
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| Education terms |
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| For more information on education policy terms, see this article. |
The National Center for Education Statistics provides state-by-state data on student achievement levels in mathematics and reading in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The table below presents the percentage of fourth and eighth grade students that scored at or above proficient in reading and math during school year 2012-2013. Compared to three neighboring states, students in Oregon scored below those in Washington, about on par with those in Idaho, and above those in California. The best scores in the state were earned by fourth graders in math, with 40 percent scoring at or above proficient.[3]
| Percent of students scoring at or above proficient, 2012-2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math - Grade 4 | Math - Grade 8 | Reading - Grade 4 | Reading - Grade 8 | |
| Oregon | 40% | 34% | 33% | 37% |
| California | 33% | 28% | 27% | 29% |
| Idaho | 40% | 36% | 33% | 38% |
| Washington | 48% | 42% | 40% | 42% |
| United States | 41% | 34% | 34% | 34% |
| Source: United States Department of Education, ED Data Express, "State Tables" | ||||
The following table shows the graduation rates and average composite ACT and SAT scores for Oregon and surrounding states during the 2012-2013 school year. All statements made in this section refer to that school year.[3][4][5]
In the United States, public schools reported graduation rates that averaged to about 81.4 percent. About 54 percent of all students in the country took the ACT, while 50 percent reported taking the SAT. The average national composite scores for those tests were 20.9 out of a possible 36 for the ACT, and 1498 out of a possible 2400 for the SAT.[6]
Oregon schools reported a graduation rate of 68.7 percent, second lowest in the country in 2013.
In Oregon, more students took the SAT than the ACT, earning an average SAT score of 1539.
| Comparison table for graduation rates and test scores, 2012-2013 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Graduation rate, 2013 | Average ACT composite, 2013 | Average SAT composite, 2013 | ||||
| Percent | Quintile ranking** | Score | Participation rate | Score | Participation rate | ||
| Oregon | 68.7% | Fifth | 21.5 | 34% | 1539 | 49% | |
| California | 80.4% | Third | 22.2 | 26% | 1505 | 57% | |
| Idaho | N/A | N/A | 22.1 | 49% | 1364 | 99% | |
| Washington | 76.4% | Fourth | 22.8 | 21% | 1537 | 60% | |
| United States | 81.4% | 20.9 | 54% | 1498 | 50% | ||
| **Graduation rates for states in the first quintile ranked in the top 20 percent nationally. Similarly, graduation rates for states in the fifth quintile ranked in the bottom 20 percent nationally. Sources: United States Department of Education, "ED Data Express" ACT.org, "2013 ACT National and State Scores" The Commonwealth Foundation, "SAT scores by state, 2013" | |||||||
The high school event dropout rate indicates the proportion of students who were enrolled at some time during the school year and were expected to be enrolled in grades nine through 12 in the following school year but were not enrolled by October 1 of the following school year. Students who have graduated, transferred to another school, died, moved to another country, or who are out of school due to illness are not considered dropouts. The average public high school event dropout rate for the United States remained constant at 3.3 percent for both school year 2010–2011 and school year 2011–2012. The event dropout rate for Oregon was lower than the national average at 3.2 percent in the 2010-2011 school year. The dropout rate was higher than the national average at 3.4 percent in the 2011-2012 school year.[7]
School choice options in Oregon included charter schools, inter-district open enrollment policies and online learning programs. In addition, about 8.62 percent of school-age children in the state attended private schools in the 2011-2012 academic year, and an estimated 2.67 percent were homeschooled in 2012-2013.
On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which concerned whether the government can exclude religious institutions from student-aid programs. The case related to Article X, Section 6 of the Montana Constitution, also known as Montana’s Blaine Amendment.[8]
In its 5-4 opinion, the court held that the application of Article X, Section 6 violated the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution. The majority held Article X, Section 6 barred religious schools and parents who wished to send their children to those schools from receiving public benefits because of the religious character of the school.[9]
The case addressed the tension between the free exercise and Establishment clauses of the U.S. Constitution—where one guarantees the right of individuals' free exercise of religion and the other guarantees that the state won't establish a religion—and the intersections of state constitutions with state law and with the U.S. Constitution.
Oregon is one of the states with a Blaine Amendment.
According to the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), states spent an average of 19.8 percent of their total budgets on elementary and secondary education during fiscal year 2013. In addition, the United States Census Bureau found that approximately 45.6 percent of the country's school system revenue came from state sources, while about 45.3 percent came from local sources. The remaining portion of school system revenue came from federal sources.[10][11]
Oregon spent approximately 14.3 percent of its budget on elementary and secondary education during fiscal year 2013. School system revenue came primarily from state funds. Oregon spent the smallest percentage of its total budget on public education when compared to its neighboring states.
| Comparison of financial figures for school systems, fiscal year 2013 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Percentage of budget | Per pupil spending | Revenue sources | ||||
| Percent federal funds | Percent state funds | Percent local funds | |||||
| Oregon | 14.3% | $9,543 | 7.8% | 50.5% | 41.7% | ||
| California | 21.4% | $9,220 | 11.8% | 52.9% | 35.3% | ||
| Idaho | 24.2% | $6,791 | 11.8% | 63.4% | 24.7% | ||
| Washington | 23.4% | $9,672 | 8.6% | 58.9% | 32.5% | ||
| United States | 19.8% | $10,700 | 9.1% | 45.6% | 45.3% | ||
| Sources: NASBO, "State Expenditure Report" (Table 8). U.S. Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Reports" (Table 5 and Table 8). | |||||||
According to the United States Census Bureau, public school system revenues totaled approximately $598 billion in fiscal year 2013.[11]
In Oregon, the primary source of school system revenue was state funding during fiscal year 2013, at $3 billion. Oregon reported the second lowest total public education revenue when compared to its neighboring states.
| Revenues by source, fiscal year 2013 (amounts in thousands) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Federal revenue | State revenue | Local revenue | Total revenue |
| Oregon | $471,682 | $3,041,825 | $2,508,173 | $6,021,680 |
| California | $7,836,263 | $35,141,208 | $23,468,448 | $66,445,919 |
| Idaho | $238,656 | $1,278,155 | $498,783 | $2,015,594 |
| Washington | $1,042,200 | $7,160,395 | $3,947,651 | $12,150,246 |
| United States | $54,367,305 | $272,916,892 | $270,645,402 | $597,929,599 |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Reports" (Table 1) | ||||
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public school system expenditures totaled approximately $602 billion in fiscal year 2012.[12]
Public education expenditures in Oregon totaled approximately $6.2 billion in fiscal year 2012. Oregon reported the second lowest total public education expenditures when compared to its neighboring states.
| Expenditures by type, fiscal year 2012 (amounts in thousands) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | General expenditures | Capital outlay | Other | Total expenditures |
| Oregon | $5,389,273 | $448,212 | $341,375 | $6,178,860 |
| California | $57,975,189 | $6,693,286 | $3,264,820 | $67,933,295 |
| Idaho | $1,854,556 | $135,343 | $62,396 | $2,052,295 |
| Washington | $10,054,077 | $1,545,989 | $452,833 | $12,052,898 |
| United States | $527,096,473 | $48,773,386 | $25,897,123 | $601,766,981 |
| Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2011–12 (Fiscal Year 2012)" (Table 5) | ||||
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average national salary for classroom teachers in public elementary and secondary schools declined by 1.3 percent from the 1999-2000 school year to the 2012-2013 school year. During the same period in Oregon, the average salary increased by 1.6 percent.[14]
| Estimated average salaries for teachers (in constant dollars**) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2000 | 2009-2010 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | Percent difference | |
| Oregon | $57,856 | $58,948 | $58,302 | $58,758 | 1.6% |
| California | $65,159 | $72,803 | $69,672 | $69,324 | 6.4% |
| Idaho | $48,578 | $49,404 | $49,359 | $49,734 | 2.4% |
| Washington | $56,089 | $56,578 | $53,101 | $53,571 | -4.5% |
| United States | $57,133 | $58,925 | $56,340 | $56,383 | -1.3% |
| **"Constant dollars based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, adjusted to a school-year basis. The CPI does not account for differences in inflation rates from state to state." | |||||
The mission statement of the Oregon Department of Education reads:[15]
| “ | The Oregon Department of Education fosters excellence for every learner through innovation, collaboration, leadership, and service to our education partners.[16] | ” |
The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the chief administrative officer of the Department of Education. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is appointed by the governor. Rob Saxton was appointed to the position in 2012.[17]
The State Board of Education oversees public education in the state. The board is composed of seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Members are appointed to four-year terms and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Five members are selected from the state's congressional districts and two members are selected to represent the state at-large.[18]
In 2012 the Fordham Institute and Education Reform Now assessed the power and influence of state teacher unions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their rankings were based on 37 different variables in five broad areas: resources and membership, involvement in politics, scope of bargaining, state policies and perceived influence. Oregon ranked second overall for union power and influence, or "strongest," which was in the first of five tiers.[19]
The main unions related to the Oregon school system are the Oregon Education Association (OEA), an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), and AFT Oregon, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. For the 2003 tax period OEA had $18.85 million in total revenue, $16.32 million in total expenses and $34.59 million in total assets.[20] For the 2003 tax period AFT Oregon had: $1.25 million in total revenue, $1.30 million in total expenses and $858,259 in total assets.[21]
List of local Oregon school unions:[22]
The main education government sector lobbying organization is the Oregon School Boards Association.
In February 2009, a group of 27 legislators introduced a bill, the "Open Books Oregon Project," that required the state to create a searchable transparency website by January 1, 2010.[23]The bill was approved by both the House and the Senate. The governor signed the bill on July 28, 2009.[24]
Education Week, a publication that reports on many education issues throughout the country, began using an evaluation system in 1997 to grade each state on various elements of education performance. This system, called Quality Counts, uses official data on performance from each state to generate report cards for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report card in 2014 uses six different categories:
Each of these six categories had a number of other elements that received individual scores. Those scores were then averaged and used to determine the final score in each category. Every state received two types of scores for each of the six major categories: A numerical score out of 100 and a letter grade based on that score. Education Week used the score for the first category, "chance for success," as the value for ranking each state and the District of Columbia. The average grade received in the entire country was 77.3, or a C+ average. The country's highest average score was in the category of "standards, assessments and accountability" at 85.3, or a B average. The lowest average score was in "K-12 achievement", at 70.2, or a C- average.
Oregon received a score of 74.6, or a C average in the "chance for success" category. This was below the national average. The state's highest score was in "transitions and alignment" at 85.7, or a B average. The lowest score was in "the teaching profession" at 63.5, or a D average. Oregon had the lowest score in the "K-12 achievement" category when compared to surrounding states. The chart below displays the scores of Oregon and its surrounding states.[25]
Note: Click on a column heading to sort the data.
| Public education report cards, 2014 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Chance for success | K-12 achievement | Standards, assessments and accountability | The teaching profession | School finance | Transitions and alignment |
| Oregon | 74.6 (C) | 64.8 (D) | 80.1 (B-) | 63.5 (D) | 71.0 (C-) | 85.7 (B) |
| California | 72.4 (C-) | 67.8 (D+) | 92.8 (A) | 71.6 (C-) | 69.2 (D+) | 82.1 (B-) |
| Idaho | 74.2 (C) | 69.8 (C-) | 86.6 (B+) | 60.5 (D-) | 60.0 (D-) | 71.4 (C-) |
| Washington | 79.5 (B-) | 74.9 (C) | 79.1 (C+) | 71.4 (C-) | 71.6 (C-) | 71.4 (C-) |
| United States | 77.3 (C+) | 70.2 (C-) | 85.3 (B) | 72.5 (C) | 75.5 (C) | 81.1 (B-) |
| Source: Education Week, "Quality Counts 2014" A full discussion of how these numbers were generated can be found here. | ||||||
State Budget Solutions examined national trends in education from 2009 to 2011, including state-by-state analysis of education spending, graduation rates and average ACT scores. The study showed that the states that spent the most did not have the highest average ACT test scores, nor did they have the highest average graduation rates. A summary of the study is available here. The full report can be accessed here.
Oregon has three types of school districts: common school districts, joint school districts and union high school districts. All school districts are governed by an elected school board that has the power to levy taxes and issue general obligation bonds with voter approval.[26]
School board members in Oregon are elected to office by residents of the school district, either by geographic zone or at-large. School boards can have a total of five or seven members, but if the school district has a population of more than 300,000, the school board must have seven members. School board members serve four-year terms.[27]
Oregon does not impose statewide term limits on school boards.[28]
The table below contains links to all school board elections covered by Ballotpedia in 2025 in this state. This list may not include all school districts that held elections in 2025. Ballotpedia's coverage included all school districts in the 100 largest cities by population and the 200 largest school districts by student enrollment.
Editor's note: Some school districts choose to cancel the primary election, or both the primary and general election, if the number of candidates who filed does not meet a certain threshold. The table below does not reflect which primary or general elections were canceled. Please click through to each school district's page for more information.
| 2025 Oregon School Board Elections | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Primary | General Election | General Runoff Election | Regular term length | Seats up for election | Total board seats | 2022-2023 enrollment |
| Beaverton School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 | 38,706 |
| Centennial School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5,515 |
| David Douglas School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8,708 |
| Parkrose School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2,849 |
| Portland Public Schools | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 | 44,740 |
| Reynolds School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9,868 |
| Salem-Keizer Public Schools | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 4 | 7 | 39,400 |
| Scappoose School District | N/A | 5/20/2025 | N/A | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2,223 |
In order to qualify to be a school board candidate in Oregon, an individual must:[27]
To get on the ballot, school board candidates must file a petition and a declaration of candidacy. The petition must be signed by registered voters of the school district the candidate seeks to represent, and if the candidate is seeking a seat elected by geographic zone, the petition must be signed by registered voters in that geographic zone.[27]
School board candidates who do not intend to spend or receive more than $750 for the calendar year, including personal funds, do not have to file campaign finance reports. If candidates do not intend to spend or receive more than $3,500 for the calendar year, including personal funds, they must only file a Statement of Organization, a campaign account information form and a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures. Those expecting to receive or spend more than $3,500 must file a Statement of Organization, a campaign account information form and file all campaign finance transactions electronically. Candidates who are required to file a Statement of Organization must do so within three days of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure after filing for office.[29][30]
The following is a list of recent education bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Oregon state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Ballotpedia has tracked the following statewide ballot measures relating to education.
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Oregon education policy. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Categories: [Education policy information by state] [Oregon]