Back to School: An Update on Statewide Education Initiatives

In May 2017, Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved two statewide education initiatives designed, in part, to provide students with meaningful hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.  Measure 98, the High School College and Career initiative, provides high school students across Oregon with access to vocational/career technical education (CTE) opportunities, college-level classes while in high school, and drop-out prevention strategies and support. Measure 98, Outdoor School for All, provides every Oregon sixth grader with access to a full week of science-infused outdoor learning. Both citizen initiatives garnered huge support with more than 65% voter approval. Once passed, the Oregon Legislature drastically cut voter-approved funding, but the programs are intact enough to make a significant impact as this school year starts. Join us to learn what’s happened since voters approved these measures and what students can expect this year and beyond.

Presenters:
 
Toya Fick, Oregon Executive Director, Stand for Children
After beginning her career as a middle school science teacher, then serving in education policy roles at the state and national levels (including policy adviser to Senator Hillary Clinton), Toya joined Stand for Children as the Director of Government Relations.  She became Stand’s Oregon Executive Director in 2014.  Together with the Latino Network and Governor Ted Kulongoski, Stand for Children was a leading force behind the successful Measure 98 citizen initiative passed in May 2017.  Toya formerly served on Portland City Club’s Board of Directors and is currently on the boards of the Oregon Food Bank and Meyer Memorial Trust.

 
 



Nancy Bales, Executive Director of the Gray Family Foundation and Chair of the Outdoor School Advisory Committee for Oregon State University Extension Service
Nancy Bales joined the Gray Family Foundation, a supporting organization of The Oregon Community Foundation, in 2014 after 13 years at Ecotrust. Gray Family Foundation seeks to engage the people of Oregon in becoming active stewards of their natural and built communities through investments that increase meaningful outdoor learning experiences for K-12 students. Nancy was part of the core leadership team for the Oregon Outdoor Education Coalition and the foundation was the principle funder of the Outdoor School for All campaign. She is the current Chair of the OSU Extension Service’s Outdoor School Advisory Committee.
 
Moderator:
 
Cheryl Myers, Director of Culture & Inclusion, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)
Cheryl Myers served as the first Chief of Staff at the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Council before becoming HECC’s intellectual leader and convener on equity and diversity issues.  She previously served as the Governor’s Director of Economic & Business Equity and has two decades of private sector business ownership experience. Cheryl served eight years as an elected school board member for the North Clackamas School District.  She serves on numerous local and national nonprofit boards.