In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 732 amending Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 328.542 and 329.095 and requiring each school district to establish what the law calls an Educational Equity Advisory Committee. District Equity Committees (DECs) are meant to help school leaders identify what helps or hinders the success of students who Oregon’s educational systems have historically excluded, impacted, marginalized, or underserved, such as students of color, students who receive special education services, students who identify as LGBTQIA+, students impacted by homelessness and/or low socioeconomic status, and any other impacted groups. They are intended to advise school boards and superintendents on the educational impacts of policy decisions, the larger district-wide climate, issues impacting underserved student groups, and additional topics necessary to fully elevate student experience. DECs are a powerful mechanism to engage community voice and advance equity in Oregon’s school districts. Committees will include parents, community members, students, and educators and will begin meeting in the Fall of 2025.

More information coming soon about development of our District Equity Committee.