Chapter 342 — Teachers and Other School Personnel

 

2023 EDITION

 

 

 

TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL

 

EDUCATION AND CULTURE

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

342.120     Definitions for chapter

 

LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

(Generally)

 

342.121     Teacher and administrator licensing; certification

 

342.122     National Board Certification Fund; rules

 

342.123     Knowledge of civil rights laws and ethical standards required; exception

 

342.125     Types of licenses; charter school registry; expedited process; rules

 

342.127     Fees

 

342.130     Certain existing certificates and licenses not invalidated

 

342.136     Preliminary teaching license, personnel service license and administrative license; renewal

 

342.137     Distinguished teacher leader license; renewal; rules

 

342.138     Professional teaching license, professional personnel service license and professional administrative license; renewal; rules

 

342.143     Issuance of licenses and registrations

 

342.144     American Indian languages teaching license; renewal

 

342.147     Approval of educator preparation providers and educator preparation programs; rules

 

Note          Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account--2015 c.756 §§4,5

 

342.153     Proficiency in Braille required for teaching license to provide education to blind students

 

342.165     Commission rules

 

342.173     Effect of employing certain persons; sanctions; rules

 

(Discipline)

 

342.175     Grounds for discipline; reinstatement

 

342.176     Complaint process; preliminary investigation; materials confidential; notice

 

342.177     Hearing and decision on charges; notice

 

342.180     Appeal

 

342.183     Letters of informal reproval

 

(Miscellaneous)

 

342.187     Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

 

342.192     Licensing requirements for out-of-state applicants; rules

 

342.195     Teaching licenses based on experience in certain federal programs; rules

 

342.200     Administrative licenses based on professional skills and experience

 

342.202     Administrator comprehensive leadership development system

 

342.203     Publication of list of teachers, administrators and teacher candidates subjected to discipline

 

342.208     Model career pathways for instructional assistants to become licensed teachers

 

342.223     Criminal records check; effect of making false statement; appeal

 

TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

 

342.350     Commission established; confirmation; term; vacancy; effect of change in circumstances

 

342.360     Members; qualifications

 

342.380     Organization

 

342.390     Meetings; expenses

 

342.410     Executive director; employees

 

342.420     Member’s salary; reimbursement to district

 

342.425     Annual report on duties, powers and functions of commission

 

342.430     Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Account; use

 

EDUCATORS EQUITY ACT

 

342.433     Definitions for ORS 342.433 to 342.449

 

342.437     Goal

 

342.443     Reports of longitudinal data

 

342.447     Plans for recruitment, admission, retention and graduation of diverse educators

 

342.448     Reports related to implementation of Educators Equity Act

 

342.449     Short title

 

SCHOOL NURSES

 

342.455     Definition of “school nurse”

 

342.465     Rules; notice if action taken on license

 

342.475     School nurses; certificates

 

342.485     Commission to consult with and advise Oregon State Board of Nursing on school nursing

 

342.495     Holder of school nurse certificate qualified to conduct and coordinate health services program

 

CONTRACTS OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

342.513     Renewal or nonrenewal of contracts for following year

 

342.521     Contracts with teachers for return of part of salary prohibited

 

342.545     Termination of teacher’s contract; release

 

342.549     Administrator contracts; benefits after termination

 

342.553     Discipline for resigning without providing required notice

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL

 

342.608     Working hours for licensed personnel; duty-free lunch period required; exception

 

Note          Task Force on Statewide Educator Salary Schedules--2023 c.592 §§26,27

 

342.610     Minimum salary for substitute teachers

 

Note          Task Force on Substitute Teachers--2023 c.592 §§21,22

 

342.621     Authorized pay for licensed educators and classified school employees who provide significant special education support

 

342.626     Work hour requirements for classified school employees who provide significant special education support

 

342.664     Required ratio of pupils to staff holders of first aid cards; waiver; rules

 

342.676     Survey on working experiences of education workforce; availability of survey information; rules

 

Note          Plans for statewide data system on education workforce and statewide portal for jobs in education--2023 c.592 §§1,2

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 

342.700     Policy on sexual harassment; posting and availability of policy

 

342.704     Adoption of policies on sexual harassment required; contents; rules

 

342.708     ORS 342.700 and 342.704 not limitation on or prerequisite for other rights and remedies

 

STEROIDS AND PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUBSTANCES

 

342.721     Definitions for ORS 342.723 and 342.726

 

342.723     Prohibitions on school district employees

 

342.726     Curricula to include information on steroids and performance-enhancing substances; training of school employees

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SCHOOLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY LAW

 

342.805     Short title

 

342.815     Definitions for ORS 342.805 to 342.937

 

342.835     Probationary teacher

 

342.840     Determination of length of service for probationary teacher

 

342.845     Contract teacher; part-time contract teacher; effect of program transfer; administrator contracts

 

342.850     Teacher evaluation; personnel file content; rules

 

342.856     Core teaching standards

 

342.865     Grounds for dismissal or contract nonextension of contract teacher

 

342.875     Suspension; reinstatement

 

342.895     Contract teachers; procedure for dismissal or contract nonextension; appeal

 

342.905     Appeal procedure; arbitration as alternative

 

342.910     Waiver of contract grievance claim if appeal of dismissal decision filed; waiver of certain rights and procedures

 

342.930     Fair Dismissal Appeals Board; rules

 

342.934     Procedure for reduction of teacher staff due to funding or administrative decision

 

342.937     Reimbursement for teacher dismissal costs

 

EDUCATOR ADVANCEMENT COUNCIL

 

342.940     Educator Advancement Council; members; duties; rules

 

342.943     System of educator networks; eligibility; duties

 

342.953     Educator Advancement Fund

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

342.961     Internal investigations of employee misconduct or wrongdoing

 

342.965     Interchange of teachers

 

342.971     Educator Preparation Improvement Fund

 

342.974     Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year Program; rules

 

Note          Evaluation to increase number of educators in Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region--2019 c.195 §§1,2

 

      342.005 [Amended by 1955 c.518 §1; repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.007 [1953 c.85 §1; repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.010 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.015 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.017 [1991 c.693 §16; 1993 c.45 §148; renumbered 329.753 in 1993]

 

      342.020 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.025 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.030 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.035 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.040 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.045 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.050 [Amended by 1955 c.518 §2; repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.055 [Repealed by 1963 c.544 §52]

 

      342.060 [Amended by 1957 c.638 §1; repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.065 [Amended by 1955 c.101 §1; renumbered 342.602]

 

      342.070 [Amended by 1957 c.638 §2; 1961 c.677 §1; renumbered 342.175]

 

      342.075 [Amended by 1961 c.677 §2; renumbered 342.180]

 

      342.080 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.085 [Amended by 1955 c.214 §1; repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.090 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.095 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456 and 1965 c.550 §6]

 

      342.100 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456 and 1965 c.550 §6]

 

      342.105 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.110 [Amended by 1961 c.707 §1; repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

      342.115 [Repealed by 1961 c.439 §13]

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

      342.120 Definitions for chapter. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Administrator” includes but is not limited to all superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals and academic program directors in public schools or education service districts who have direct responsibility for supervision or evaluation of licensed teachers and who are compensated for their services from public funds.

      (2) “Administrative license” means a license issued under ORS 342.125 (3)(f) or (g).

      (3) “Approved educator preparation program” means a licensure program that:

      (a) Prepares persons to become educators in any grade from preprimary through grade 12;

      (b) Is offered by an approved educator preparation provider; and

      (c) Meets the standards of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, as provided by ORS 342.147.

      (4) “Approved educator preparation provider” means a sponsor or provider of an educator preparation program that meets the standards of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, as provided by ORS 342.147.

      (5) “Commission licensee” means a person whom the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission has the authority to investigate or discipline because the person:

      (a) Is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program;

      (b) Is an applicant for a Teacher Standards and Practices Commission license or registration;

      (c) Holds a license or registration issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; or

      (d) Has held a license or registration issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission at any time during the previous five years.

      (6) “Instruction” includes preparation of curriculum, assessment and direction of learning in class, in small groups, in individual situations, online, in the library and in guidance and counseling, but does not include the provision of related services, as defined in ORS 343.035, to a child identified as a child with a disability pursuant to ORS 343.146 to 343.183 when provided in accordance with ORS 343.221.

      (7) “Instructional assistant” means a classified school employee who does not require a license to teach, who is employed by a school district or education service district and whose assignment consists of and is limited to assisting a licensed teacher in accordance with rules established by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (8) “Teacher” includes all licensed employees in the public schools or employed by an education service district who have direct responsibility for instruction or coordination of educational programs and who are compensated for their services from public funds. “Teacher” does not include a school nurse as defined in ORS 342.455 or an instructional assistant.

      (9) “Teaching license” means a license issued under ORS 342.125 or 342.144.

      (10) “Underrepresented person” means:

      (a) A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa, but who is not Hispanic;

      (b) A person of Hispanic culture or origin;

      (c) A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands; or

      (d) An American Indian or Alaska Native having origins in any of the original peoples of North America. [1961 c.439 §1; 1965 c.100 §348; 1965 c.550 §1; 1973 c.270 §2; 1975 c.278 §1; 1981 c.393 §1; 1981 c.469 §5; 1989 c.125 §1; 1993 c.45 §149; 2001 c.653 §4; 2007 c.70 §100; 2011 c.609 §4; 2015 c.647 §§6,36; 2018 c.72 §2; 2021 c.97 §33; 2021 c.151 §1; 2021 c.518 §12]

 

LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

(Generally)

 

      342.121 Teacher and administrator licensing; certification. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall issue licenses to teachers and administrators who possess the minimum competencies, knowledge and skills to teach and administer in the public schools of this state.

      (2) In addition to a teaching or administrative license, a person may obtain professional certification, indicating a higher degree of competency, knowledge and skill based on work experience and advanced study, from a professional organization of teachers or administrators on the national level. A professional teaching certificate or administrative certificate is not required to teach or administer in a public school of this state. [1991 c.662 §11; 1993 c.45 §151; 2011 c.609 §5; 2011 c.705 §27; 2015 c.245 §2]

 

      Note: 342.121 was added to and made a part of 342.120 to 342.430 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.122 National Board Certification Fund; rules. (1) There is created the National Board Certification Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the National Board Certification Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) The National Board Certification Fund shall include any state or federal moneys made available to the fund, including moneys appropriated by the Legislative Assembly and federal moneys made available to improve teacher quality through professional development. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may accept from any source any grant, donation or gift of money or other valuable thing made to the commission for purposes of the fund.

      (3) Moneys credited to the National Board Certification Fund are continuously appropriated to the commission for the purposes set forth in subsections (4) and (5) of this section. The commission may draw checks or orders upon the State Treasurer in making disbursements from the fund for the purposes stated in this subsection.

      (4) Moneys in the National Board Certification Fund shall be used to encourage at least 150 public school teachers in this state to apply for and attain certification each biennium through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or any other national professional organization for teaching standards designated by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (5) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may disburse moneys from the National Board Certification Fund to applicants for assistance with the direct costs of seeking and obtaining national board certification, including reimbursement for the costs of each of the components necessary for certification and reimbursement for costs related to participating in a cohort for certification. The commission may retain no more than 10 percent of all moneys received under this section during a biennium from state and federal sources for the purpose of paying administrative expenses incurred by the commission under this subsection.

      (6) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall adopt rules that govern the disbursement of moneys from the National Board Certification Fund consistent with this section, including requirements that recipients of disbursements must be licensed by the commission and employed with a public educational program in this state. [2001 c.381 §2; 2011 c.609 §6; 2017 c.662 §1; 2018 c.72 §§26,27]

 

      Note: 342.122 was added to and made a part of 342.120 to 342.430 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.123 Knowledge of civil rights laws and ethical standards required; exception. (1) In addition to and not in lieu of any other law or rule or standard established by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, the commission shall require an applicant for a first-time license or registration issued by the commission to demonstrate knowledge of:

      (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and other relevant federal and state statutes prohibiting discrimination; and

      (b) Ethical standards of professional conduct for licensees and registrants, as determined by the commission.

      (2) The requirements of this section do not apply to an applicant who is present in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa. [1977 c.805 §2; 1981 c.663 §1; 2009 c.392 §1; 2011 c.648 §3]

 

      342.125 Types of licenses; charter school registry; expedited process; rules. (1) Teaching licenses shall be issued and renewed by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission by the authority of the State of Oregon, subject to ORS 342.120 to 342.430 and the rules of the commission.

      (2) Notwithstanding any requirements prescribed for issuance of a license, a person whose application for a license is pending may be employed in the public schools of this state for 90 calendar days after the date of submission of the application if:

      (a) The person is not ineligible for a license following background checks conducted by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, including a criminal records check as provided in ORS 181A.195 and a background check through an interstate clearinghouse of revoked and suspended licenses;

      (b) The school district has completed the review of the employment history of the person as required by ORS 339.374;

      (c) The person had not been employed as provided by this subsection during the previous 12 months with a pending application for the same license; and

      (d) The person and the school district have complied with any other requirements established by the commission by rule.

      (3) Subject to ORS 342.130 and to subsection (4) of this section, licenses shall be of the following types:

      (a) Preliminary teaching license.

      (b) Professional teaching license.

      (c) Distinguished teacher leader license.

      (d) Preliminary personnel service license.

      (e) Professional personnel service license.

      (f) Preliminary administrative license.

      (g) Professional administrative license.

      (h) Reciprocal license.

      (i) Legacy license.

      (4) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may establish other types of teaching licenses as the commission considers necessary for operation of the public schools of the state and may prescribe the qualifications for the licenses. However, no license established under the authority of this subsection is required for a regular classroom teaching position in the public schools.

      (5) Notwithstanding ORS 342.127, any person who has held a teaching license identified in subsection (3) of this section or established as provided by subsection (4) of this section may, within three years of retirement and without payment of any fees or any other additional requirements, convert the teaching license into a substitute teaching license.

      (6)(a) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall establish a public charter school teacher and administrator registry. The commission shall require the applicant and the public charter school to jointly submit an application requesting registration as a public charter school teacher or administrator. The application shall include:

      (A) A description of the specific teaching or administrator position the applicant will fill;

      (B) A description of the background of the applicant that is relevant to the teaching or administrator position, including any post-secondary education or other experience; and

      (C) Documentation as required by the commission for the purposes of conducting a criminal records check as provided in ORS 181A.195 and a background check through an interstate clearinghouse of revoked and suspended licenses.

      (b) Subject to the results of the criminal records check and background check and to information received under ORS 342.143 (2), the commission shall approve the application for registration. The commission may deny a request for registration only on the basis of the criminal records check, the background check through an interstate clearinghouse of revoked and suspended licenses or the information received under ORS 342.143 (2). The registration is valid for a term established by the commission and, subject to information received under ORS 342.143 (2), may be renewed upon joint application from the teacher or administrator and the public charter school.

      (c) A registration as a public charter school teacher qualifies its holder to accept the teaching position described in the application in the public charter school that submitted the application with the holder of the registration.

      (d) A registration as a public charter school administrator qualifies its holder to accept the administrator position described in the application in the public charter school that submitted the application with the holder of the registration.

      (7)(a) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall adopt an expedited process for the issuance of any license established pursuant to this section. The expedited process may require the following:

      (A) The showing of an urgent situation; and

      (B) The joint request for the expedited process from the applicant for the license and:

      (i) The school district superintendent or school district board;

      (ii) The public charter school governing body; or

      (iii) The education service district superintendent or board of directors of the education service district.

      (b) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this subsection, the commission shall issue a license as provided by this subsection within two working days after receiving a completed application.

      (c) The commission may limit the number of applications the commission will accept under this subsection from a school district or an education service district to not more than 100 applications in a period of two working days.

      (d) For purposes of this subsection, the commission may not distinguish between a school district or an education service district involved in a labor dispute and any other school district or education service district. [1961 c.439 §2; 1965 c.100 §349; 1965 c.550 §2; part renumbered 342.127; 1973 c.270 §3; 1981 c.663 §2; 1991 c.662 §5; 1993 c.45 §152; 1997 c.352 §1; 1997 c.383 §1; 1999 c.199 §2; 2005 c.730 §17; 2007 c.575 §8; 2013 c.286 §1; 2015 c.647 §7; 2017 c.446 §1; 2018 c.72 §1; 2019 c.150 §1; 2023 c.592 §30]

 

      342.126 [1977 c.826 §2; 1981 c.180 §1; 1993 c.45 §155; 1997 c.383 §10; repealed by 2008 c.39 §11]

 

      342.127 Fees. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall establish and collect:

      (a) A fee not to exceed $350 for evaluation of the initial application for each educator license for which application is made. If the applicant is eligible for the educator license for which application is made, the commission shall issue the license without additional charge.

      (b) A fee not to exceed $350 for the renewal of each educator license and a fee not to exceed $50 for each official paper license. If the educator is certified by a national professional organization for teaching standards recognized by the commission, the commission shall renew the license without charge.

      (c) A fee not to exceed $800 for a beginning educator assessment conducted in lieu of an approved preparation program required for licensure.

      (d) A fee not to exceed $350 for registration as a public charter school teacher or administrator that includes any fee charged pursuant to rules adopted under ORS 181A.195.

      (e) A fee not to exceed $350 for renewal of a registration as a public charter school teacher or administrator that includes any fee charged pursuant to rules adopted under ORS 181A.195.

      (2) In addition to the fee required by subsection (1) of this section for the issuance of an educator license, the commission shall collect a fee not to exceed $150 for the evaluation of an applicant requesting licensing based upon completion of an educator preparation program other than an Oregon approved educator preparation program.

      (3) In addition to the fees required by subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall collect a late application fee not to exceed $40 per month up to a maximum of $200 from an applicant who fails to make timely application for renewal of the license or registration. The actual amount of the fee shall be determined in accordance with rules of the commission.

      (4) In addition to the fees required by subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall collect a late application fee not to exceed $350 for the reinstatement of an expired license. The requirements for reinstatement and the actual amount of the fee shall be determined in accordance with rules of the commission.

      (5) Notwithstanding the expiration date posted on the license, the license shall continue to be valid for an additional 120 days, provided the educator has made a timely application, as determined by the commission, for renewal prior to the expiration date on the license.

      (6) In addition to the fee required by subsection (1) of this section for the issuance of an educator license, the commission shall collect a fee not to exceed $1,000 for the reinstatement of a license that has been suspended or revoked by the commission for gross neglect of duty or gross unfitness under ORS 342.175.

      (7) In addition to the fee required by subsection (1) of this section for the issuance of an educator license, the commission shall collect a fee not to exceed $200 for the issuance of any license through an expedited process under ORS 342.125 (7) at the request of any school district, public charter school or education service district that seeks to employ the applicant. The fee shall be paid by the school district, public charter school or education service district.

      (8) Fees established under this section shall cover, but not exceed, the full cost of administrative expenses incurred by the commission during any biennium. [Subsections (1) and (2) formerly part of 342.125; subsection (3) enacted as 1965 c.535 §14; 1969 c.416 §1; 1971 c.41 §1; 1973 c.270 §4; 1981 c.663 §3; 1983 c.14 §1; 1991 c.144 §1; 1993 c.45 §156; 1997 c.165 §1; 1997 c.352 §3; 1999 c.199 §4; 1999 c.768 §1; 2005 c.730 §18; 2007 c.35 §3; 2007 c.575 §10; 2015 c.245 §3; 2015 c.647 §8; 2017 c.446 §2; 2017 c.662 §3; 2018 c.72 §3; 2021 c.647 §§1,4; 2023 c.592 §§31,32]

 

      342.130 Certain existing certificates and licenses not invalidated. (1) Nothing in ORS 342.120 to 342.173 is intended to invalidate the life of any certificate or diploma in effect on June 30, 1965, nor to invalidate the rights granted prior to June 30, 1965, by the law and the rules of the State Board of Education under which the certificate or diploma was issued.

      (2) Nothing in chapter 550, Oregon Laws 1965, is intended to invalidate the life of any teaching certificate in effect on August 13, 1965, or to alter the rights and privileges granted prior to August 13, 1965, by the law under which the teaching certificate was issued.

      (3) Nothing in ORS 342.120 to 342.173 is intended to invalidate the life of any basic or standard teaching or administrative license in effect prior to January 15, 1999, nor to invalidate the rights granted prior to January 15, 1999, by the law and by the rules under which the license was issued.

      (4) Nothing in chapter 647, Oregon Laws 2015, is intended to invalidate the life of any teaching, administrative or personnel service license in effect on July 6, 2015, or to alter the rights and privileges granted prior to July 6, 2015, by the law under which the license was issued. [1961 c.439 §3; 1965 c.100 §350; subsection (2) enacted as 1965 c.550 §4; 1997 c.383 §2; 1999 c.59 §89; 2015 c.647 §9]

 

      Note: Legislative Counsel has substituted “chapter 550, Oregon Laws 1965,” for the words “this Act” in section 4, chapter 550, Oregon Laws 1965, compiled as 342.130 (2). Specific ORS references have not been substituted, pursuant to 173.160. The sections for which substitution otherwise would be made may be determined by referring to the 1965 Comparative Section Table located in Volume 22 of ORS.

 

      Note: Legislative Counsel has substituted “chapter 647, Oregon Laws 2015,” for the words “this 2015 Act” in section 9, chapter 647, Oregon Laws 2015, which amended 342.130. Specific ORS references have not been substituted, pursuant to 173.160. The sections for which substitution otherwise would be made may be determined by referring to the 2015 Comparative Section Table located in Volume 22 of ORS.

 

      342.135 [1961 c.439 §4; 1965 c.100 §354; 1965 c.550 §3; 1973 c.270 §5; 1989 c.521 §1; 1993 c.45 §157; 1997 c.383 §6; 2005 c.209 §36; repealed by 2015 c.647 §34]

 

      342.136 Preliminary teaching license, personnel service license and administrative license; renewal. (1) A preliminary teaching license, personnel service license or administrative license shall qualify its holder to accept any assignment from preprimary through grade 12 for which the holder has completed the requirements established by the rules of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (2) A preliminary teaching license, personnel service license or administrative license shall be issued on application to an otherwise qualified applicant who has completed an approved professional education program and meets such other requirements as the commission may consider necessary to maintain and improve the quality of instruction in the public schools of the state.

      (3) In addition to any requirements imposed under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an applicant for a preliminary teaching license must complete a supervised clinical practice experience. The supervised clinical practice experience:

      (a) May include student teaching, internships, observations and similar experiences;

      (b) Must be under the direction of:

      (A) A supervisor from the approved educator preparation program in which the applicant is enrolled; and

      (B) A teacher who is from the school district where the applicant is completing the supervised clinical practice experience and who:

      (i) Possesses a teaching license issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission;

      (ii) Has been an effective teacher for three or more years, as determined under rules adopted by the commission; and

      (iii) Is trained to supervise the applicant during the applicant’s supervised clinical practice experience and to work in partnership with the applicant’s supervisor from an approved educator preparation program; and

      (c) Must comply with other requirements adopted by the commission by rule.

      (4) A preliminary teaching license, personnel service license or administrative license may be renewed if the applicant meets the requirements established by the commission by rule.

      (5) The commission shall develop a process that allows a teacher holding a preliminary teaching license to continually renew the preliminary teaching license based on the completion of requirements established by the rules of the commission if the teacher does not qualify for a professional teaching license due to lack of employment. [1997 c.383 §4; 2003 c.525 §1; 2013 c.286 §8; 2015 c.279 §1; 2015 c.647 §§38,39]

 

      342.137 Distinguished teacher leader license; renewal; rules. (1) A distinguished teacher leader license shall designate that its holder is qualified to provide leadership that may include mentoring, curriculum development support, teacher preparation support and other educational leadership.

      (2) A distinguished teacher leader license shall be issued on application to an otherwise qualified person who:

      (a) Has a valid professional teaching license; and

      (b) Has been deemed to be effective to highly effective in teaching, as shown by:

      (A) A combination of evaluations conducted in compliance with ORS 342.856 and evidence of current professional leadership practices, as determined based on standards adopted by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission by rule; or

      (B) Other evidence identified by the commission by rule.

      (3) A distinguished teacher leader license may be renewed if the applicant meets the requirements established by the commission by rule.

      (4) The commission shall develop a process by which a teacher holding a distinguished teacher leader license is automatically issued a professional teaching license upon nonrenewal of a distinguished teacher leader license if the teacher meets the requirements for a professional teaching license. [2013 c.286 §7; 2015 c.479 §3; 2015 c.647 §11]

 

      Note: 342.137 was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 342 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.138 Professional teaching license, professional personnel service license and professional administrative license; renewal; rules. (1) A professional teaching license, a professional personnel service license or a professional administrative license qualifies the holder to accept any assignments for preprimary through grade 12 for which the holder has completed the advanced requirements established by the rules of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (2) A professional teaching license, a professional personnel service license or a professional administrative license shall be issued on application to an otherwise qualified person who has:

      (a) Completed an advanced professional education program approved by the commission;

      (b) Been employed in an educational setting for a minimum period of time established by the commission by rule; and

      (c) Demonstrated minimum competencies, knowledge and skills required for the professional teaching license, professional personnel service license or professional administrative license through an approved educator preparation provider, school district, professional organization described in ORS 342.121, or professional assessment approved by the commission.

      (3) The holder of a professional teaching license, professional personnel service license or professional administrative license may renew the license in accordance with the rules of the commission. [1997 c.383 §5; 2003 c.525 §2; 2011 c.301 §7; 2013 c.286 §10; 2015 c.245 §5; 2015 c.647 §12]

 

      342.140 [1961 c.439 §5; 1965 c.100 §355; 1973 c.270 §6; 1991 c.662 §6; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54 and 2015 c.647 §34]

 

      342.143 Issuance of licenses and registrations. (1) A teaching, personnel service or administrative license, or public charter school registration, may not be issued to any person until the person has attained the age of 18 years and has furnished satisfactory evidence of proper educational training.

      (2) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may require an applicant for a teaching, personnel service or administrative license or for registration as a public charter school teacher or administrator to furnish evidence satisfactory to the commission of good moral character, mental and physical health, and such other evidence as the commission may deem necessary to establish the applicant’s fitness to serve as a teacher or administrator.

      (3) Without limiting the powers of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission under subsection (2) of this section:

      (a) A teaching, personnel service or administrative license, or a public charter school registration, may not be issued to any person who:

      (A) Has been convicted of a crime listed in ORS 163.095, 163.107, 163.115, 163.185, 163.235, 163.355, 163.365, 163.375, 163.385, 163.395, 163.405, 163.408, 163.411, 163.415, 163.425, 163.427, 163.432, 163.433, 163.435, 163.445, 163.465, 163.515, 163.525, 163.547, 163.575, 163.670, 163.675 (1985 Replacement Part), 163.680 (1993 Edition), 163.684, 163.686, 163.687, 163.688, 163.689, 164.325, 164.415, 166.005, 166.087, 167.007, 167.008, 167.012, 167.017, 167.057, 167.062, 167.075, 167.080, 167.090, 475.808, 475.810, 475.812, 475.818, 475.820, 475.822, 475.828, 475.830, 475.832, 475.848, 475.852, 475.868, 475.872, 475.878, 475.880, 475.882, 475.888, 475.890, 475.892, 475.904 or 475.906.

      (B) Has been convicted under ORS 161.405 of an attempt to commit any of the crimes listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

      (C) Has been convicted in another jurisdiction of a crime that is substantially equivalent, as defined by rule, to any of the crimes listed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

      (D) Has had a teaching, personnel service or administrative license, or a public charter school registration, revoked in another jurisdiction for a reason that is substantially equivalent, as defined by rule, to a reason described in ORS 342.175 and the revocation is not subject to further appeal. A person whose right to apply for a license or registration is denied under this subparagraph may apply for reinstatement of the right as provided in ORS 342.175 (4).

      (b) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may refuse to issue a license or registration to any person who has been convicted of:

      (A) A crime involving the illegal use, sale or possession of controlled substances; or

      (B) A crime described in ORS 475C.005 to 475C.525.

      (4) In denying the issuance of a license or registration under this section, the commission shall follow the procedure set forth in ORS 342.176 and 342.177. [1965 c.100 §352; 1971 c.743 §357; 1973 c.270 §7; 1979 c.744 §14; 1987 c.158 §58; 1987 c.503 §6; 1993 c.45 §158; 1993 c.301 §6; 1993 c.603 §2; 1995 c.446 §8; 1995 c.768 §14; 1997 c.383 §§11,11a; 1999 c.199 §8; 1999 c.308 §1; 2005 c.708 §52; 2007 c.575 §11; 2007 c.869 §10; 2007 c.876 §8; 2009 c.386 §4; 2011 c.151 §11; 2011 c.524 §21; 2011 c.681 §7; 2013 c.591 §11; 2015 c.245 §6; 2017 c.21 §50; 2019 c.635 §21]

 

      342.144 American Indian languages teaching license; renewal. (1) As used in this section, “American Indian tribe” means an Indian tribe as that term is defined in ORS 97.740.

      (2) The Legislative Assembly declares that teaching American Indian languages is essential to the proper education of American Indian children.

      (3) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall establish an American Indian languages teaching license.

      (4) Each American Indian tribe may develop a written and oral test that must be successfully completed by an applicant for an American Indian languages teaching license in order to determine whether the applicant is qualified to teach the tribe’s native language. When developing the test, the tribe shall determine:

      (a) Which dialects will be used on the test;

      (b) Whether the tribe will standardize the tribe’s writing system; and

      (c) How the teaching methods will be evaluated in the classroom.

      (5) The test shall be administered at an appropriate location that does not create hardship for the tribal members administering the test.

      (6) The commission may not require an applicant to hold a specific academic degree, to complete a specific amount of education or to complete an educator preparation program to receive an American Indian languages teaching license.

      (7)(a) An American Indian languages teaching license qualifies the holder to accept a teaching position in a school district, public charter school, education service district, community college or public university listed in ORS 352.002.

      (b) A holder of an American Indian languages teaching license who does not also have a teaching license issued under ORS 342.125 may not teach in a school district or education service district any subject other than the American Indian language the holder of the license is approved to teach by the tribe.

      (c) A holder of an American Indian languages teaching license who does not also have a teaching license or registration issued under ORS 342.125 may not teach in a public charter school any subject other than the American Indian language the holder of the license is approved to teach by the tribe.

      (8)(a) As used in this subsection, “technical assistance program” means a program provided to an American Indian languages teacher by a licensed teacher with three or more years of teaching experience. A technical assistance program may include direct classroom observation and consultation, assistance in instructional planning and preparation, support in implementation and delivery of classroom instruction, and other assistance intended to enhance the professional performance and development of the American Indian languages teacher.

      (b) The holder of an American Indian languages teaching license who does not also have an administrative license, teaching license or registration issued under ORS 342.125 and who is employed by a school district, public charter school or education service district shall participate in a technical assistance program with a person holding a teaching license issued by the commission under ORS 342.125. The technical assistance program shall meet the guidelines specified in ORS 329.815 (2) to (4).

      (9) An American Indian languages teaching license shall be valid for a term established by the commission and may be renewed upon application from the holder of the license. [2001 c.653 §2; 2007 c.71 §94; 2007 c.863 §9; 2011 c.637 §125; 2015 c.245 §7; 2015 c.647 §13]

 

      342.145 [1961 c.439 §6; 1965 c.100 §356; repealed by 1965 c.550 §6]

 

      342.147 Approval of educator preparation providers and educator preparation programs; rules. (1)(a) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall establish by rule standards for approval of educator preparation providers and educator preparation programs.

      (b) Standards for approval of an educator preparation program must include requiring an educator preparation program to evaluate candidates using a framework approved by the commission that:

      (A) Uses multiple measures to determine if a candidate’s knowledge, skills and competencies qualify the candidate for a teaching license; and

      (B) Includes at least one measure that is locally determined and adopted by the educator preparation provider, and that is then approved by the commission.

      (c) Standards for approval of an educator preparation program for early childhood education, elementary education, special education or reading must require that:

      (A) The program provide instruction on dyslexia and other reading difficulties; and

      (B) The instruction on dyslexia be consistent with the knowledge and practice standards of an international organization on dyslexia.

      (2) The commission shall adopt rules that:

      (a) Require approved educator preparation programs for early childhood education, elementary education, special education or reading to demonstrate that candidates enrolled in the programs receive training to provide instruction that enables students to meet or exceed third-grade reading standards and become proficient readers by the end of the third grade, as designated by the State Board of Education. For the purposes of this paragraph, an approved educator preparation program may make the demonstration through course curriculum, approved textbooks or other program requirements.

      (b) Allow approved educator preparation programs leading to graduate degrees to commence prior to the candidate’s completion of baccalaureate degree requirements and to combine undergraduate and graduate level course work in achieving program completion.

      (3) Whenever any educator preparation provider or educator preparation program is denied approved status or has such status withdrawn, the denial or withdrawal must be treated as a contested case under ORS chapter 183.

      (4) Nothing in this section is intended to grant to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission any authority relating to granting degrees or establishing degree requirements that are within the authority of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission or any of the public universities listed in ORS 352.002, or that are within the authority of the governing board of any private institution of higher education. [1973 c.270 §19; 1989 c.521 §2; 1989 c.690 §3; 1993 c.45 §159; 2011 c.637 §126; 2015 c.647 §§14,41,42; 2015 c.767 §§106,236,237,238,239; 2017 c.317 §1; 2021 c.637 §1]

 

      Note: The amendments to 342.147 by section 8, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, become operative July 1, 2025. See section 2, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, as amended by section 9, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, and section 25, chapter 72, Oregon Laws 2018. The text that is operative on and after July 1, 2025, including amendments by section 2, chapter 317, Oregon Laws 2017, section 9, chapter 518, Oregon Laws 2021, and section 2, chapter 637, Oregon Laws 2021, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

      342.147. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall establish by rule standards for approval of educator preparation providers and educator preparation programs.

      (2) Standards for approval of an educator preparation provider may allow approval of an institution of higher education, a school district in this state, an education service district in this state or any other entity in this state that sponsors or provides an educator preparation program.

      (3)(a) Standards for approval of an educator preparation program must include:

      (A) Requiring an educator preparation program to be accredited by a national organization that represents teachers, policymakers and teacher educators and that provides accreditation based on nationally recognized standards and on evidence-based measures;

      (B) Approving a public educator preparation program of more than four years’ duration only if educator preparation programs that are reasonably attainable in a four-year period, or the equivalent, are also available in the system of higher education and are designed to culminate in a baccalaureate degree that qualifies their graduates for entry-level teaching licenses; and

      (C) Requiring an educator preparation program to evaluate candidates using a framework approved by the commission that:

      (i) Uses multiple measures to determine if a candidate’s knowledge, skills and competencies qualify the candidate for a teaching license; and

      (ii) Includes at least one measure that is locally determined and adopted by the educator preparation provider, and that is then approved by the commission.

      (b) Standards for approval of an educator preparation program for early childhood education, elementary education, special education or reading must require that:

      (A) The program provide instruction on dyslexia and other reading difficulties; and

      (B) The instruction on dyslexia be consistent with the knowledge and practice standards of an international organization on dyslexia.

      (4)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(A) of this section, standards for approval of an educator preparation program may allow an educator preparation program to operate provisionally without accreditation by a national organization if the educator preparation program is:

      (A) Offered by an accredited educator preparation provider; or

      (B) A nontraditional pathway to licensure program offered by an educator preparation provider, regardless of whether the educator preparation provider is accredited.

      (b) A nontraditional pathway to licensure program shall be considered an approved educator preparation program if the nontraditional pathway to licensure program complies with standards established by the commission. The commission shall establish standards for nontraditional pathway to licensure programs that:

      (A) Are substantially similar to the standards under subsection (3)(a) of this section;

      (B) Require the commission to consider the current efforts of educator preparation programs to serve the same educator workforce as the proposed nontraditional pathway to licensure program; and

      (C) Require the proposed nontraditional pathway to licensure program to submit to the commission a preoperational capacity review from a national accrediting organization that is approved by the commission.

      (c)(A) Nothing in this subsection requires a nontraditional pathway to licensure program to:

      (i) Culminate in the granting of a degree; or

      (ii) Prohibit a candidate from being employed as an educator while participating in the program.

      (B) Nothing in this subsection prevents an accredited educator preparation provider from offering a nontraditional pathway to licensure.

      (d) An approved educator preparation program that operates provisionally as provided by this subsection may not operate provisionally for more than four years from the date that the educator preparation program first received approval to operate provisionally.

      (5) The commission shall adopt rules that:

      (a) Require approved educator preparation programs for early childhood education, elementary education, special education or reading to demonstrate that candidates enrolled in the programs receive training to provide instruction that enables students to meet or exceed third-grade reading standards and become proficient readers by the end of the third grade, as designated by the State Board of Education. For the purposes of this paragraph, an approved educator preparation program may make the demonstration through course curriculum, approved textbooks or other program requirements.

      (b) Allow approved educator preparation programs leading to graduate degrees to commence prior to the candidate’s completion of baccalaureate degree requirements and to combine undergraduate and graduate level course work in achieving program completion.

      (6) Whenever any educator preparation provider or educator preparation program is denied approved status or has such status withdrawn, the denial or withdrawal must be treated as a contested case under ORS chapter 183.

      (7) Nothing in this section is intended to grant to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission any authority relating to granting degrees or establishing degree requirements that are within the authority of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission or any of the public universities listed in ORS 352.002, or that are within the authority of the governing board of any private institution of higher education.

 

      Note: Sections 4 and 5, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, provide:

      Sec. 4. Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account. (1) The Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account shall be accredited to the account.

      (2) Moneys in the Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account are continuously appropriated to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to award grants to educator preparation programs for the purpose of having the programs accredited by the organization described in ORS 342.147 (3)(a)(A), as amended by section 8, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, section 2, chapter 317, Oregon Laws 2017, and section 9 of this 2021 Act. [2015 c.756 §4; 2015 c.756 §10; 2021 c.518 §10]

      Sec. 5. Abolishment of account. (1) The Teacher Education Program Accreditation Account established by section 4, chapter 756, Oregon Laws 2015, is abolished on July 1, 2025.

      (2) Any moneys remaining in the account on July 1, 2025, that are unexpended, unobligated and not subject to any conditions shall be transferred to the General Fund on July 1, 2025. [2015 c.756 §5; 2021 c.518 §11]

 

      342.150 [1961 c.439 §7; 1963 c.173 §1; 1965 c.100 §357; repealed by 1965 c.550 §6]

 

      342.153 Proficiency in Braille required for teaching license to provide education to blind students. (1) Any applicant for a teaching license to provide education to students who are blind, as defined in ORS 343.565, shall be required to demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing Braille, as defined in ORS 343.565.

      (2) Any applicant for a teaching license to provide education to students who are blind shall be required to demonstrate proficiency by completion of grade I and grade II Braille coursework at a college level.

      (3) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall adopt procedures to assess the proficiencies developed through workshops and courses in grade I and grade II Braille that are consistent with standards set by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at the Library of Congress. [1993 c.380 §8; 1995 c.798 §2]

 

      Note: 342.153 was added to and made a part of 342.120 to 342.430, but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.155 [1961 c.439 §8; 1965 c.100 §358; 1989 c.125 §2; repealed by 1993 c.45 §160]

 

      342.156 [Formerly 342.985; 2013 c.1 §38; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.160 [1961 c.439 §9; repealed by 1965 c.100 §456 and 1965 c.550 §6]

 

      342.165 Commission rules. (1) Pursuant to ORS chapter 183, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall adopt rules necessary for the issuance, denial, continuation, renewal, lapse, revocation, suspension or reinstatement of licenses or registrations issued under ORS 342.120 to 342.430. The commission shall also adopt rules establishing means in addition to those prescribed by law whereby teachers are able to add additional endorsements to their teaching licenses.

      (2) In establishing rules the commission shall consider:

      (a) Its responsibilities to represent the public interest in the development of educational policies;

      (b) The capabilities of Oregon educator preparation providers to prepare educators;

      (c) The norms required for the educator assignments;

      (d) The improvement of teaching and student learning;

      (e) The adequacy of the supply of licensed educators;

      (f) The value of experience or nonacademic learning;

      (g) The responsibilities imposed upon school districts by geographic and demographic conditions; and

      (h) Other matters that tend to improve education. [1961 c.439 §10; 1965 c.100 §359; 1965 c.535 §10; 1973 c.270 §8; 1979 c.307 §1; 1993 c.45 §161; 1999 c.199 §5; 2005 c.209 §37; 2015 c.245 §9; 2015 c.647 §15]

 

      342.167 [1973 c.270 §20; 1993 c.45 §163; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.169 [1981 c.180 §3; 1993 c.45 §165; 2009 c.256 §1; renumbered 342.664 in 2009]

 

      342.170 [1961 c.439 §11; 1965 c.100 §360; repealed by 1965 c.535 §17]

 

      342.173 Effect of employing certain persons; sanctions; rules. Any school district or education service district that employs any person not properly licensed or registered by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, or licensed by the commission but not assigned in accordance with rules of the commission, shall be subject to sanctions imposed by the commission. A sanction must be imposed according to rules adopted by the commission and is effective unless:

      (1) The assignment is made with justification satisfactory to the commission.

      (2) The person is employed as a teacher by a post-secondary institution that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, or its successor, and that has a contract with a school district under which the person is teaching at the high school level. The contract shall be approved by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, including criteria for a person’s qualifications under paragraph (b) of this subsection. The contract shall:

      (a) Be for a specific instructional assignment for which the district does not have appropriately licensed personnel either on staff or available to be placed on staff after a reasonably diligent search;

      (b) Provide evidence that the person’s qualifications are appropriate for the assignment;

      (c) Allow the person to teach no more than two high school units of credit or the equivalent per year; and

      (d) Not be valid during a school closure, strike or summer session.

      (3) The person is teaching an online course originating outside this state.

      (4) The person is employed as provided by ORS 342.125 (2). [1965 c.100 §353; 1975 c.278 §2; 1977 c.635 §10; 1979 c.307 §2; 1981 c.469 §1; 1981 c.663 §4; 1987 c.401 §1; 1987 c.503 §1a; 1989 c.150 §1; 1989 c.162 §1; 1989 c.493 §1; 1991 c.67 §83; 1991 c.710 §2; 1991 c.780 §§22,23; 1997 c.383 §12; 2013 c.1 §39; 2015 c.245 §10; 2017 c.446 §3; 2018 c.72 §4]

 

      342.174 [1975 c.278 §7; 1987 c.320 §156; 1993 c.45 §167; renumbered 179.405 in 1993]

 

(Discipline)

 

      342.175 Grounds for discipline; reinstatement. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may suspend or revoke the license or registration of a commission licensee, discipline a commission licensee, or suspend or revoke the right of any person to apply for a license or registration based on the following:

      (a) Conviction of a crime not listed in ORS 342.143 (3);

      (b) Gross neglect of duty;

      (c) Any gross unfitness;

      (d) Conviction of a crime for violating any law of this state or any state or of the United States involving the illegal use, sale or possession of controlled substances;

      (e) Conviction of a crime described in ORS 475C.005 to 475C.525;

      (f) Any false statement knowingly made in an application for issuance, renewal or reinstatement of a license or registration; or

      (g) Failure to comply with any condition of reinstatement under subsection (4) of this section or any condition of probation under ORS 342.177 (3)(b).

      (2) If a person is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program under ORS 342.147, the commission may issue a public reprimand or may suspend or revoke the right to apply for a license or registration based on the following:

      (a) Conviction of a crime listed in ORS 342.143 (3) or a crime described by the commission by rule;

      (b) Conviction of a crime for violating any law of this state or any state or of the United States involving the illegal use, sale or possession of controlled substances; or

      (c) Any conduct that may cause the commission to issue a public reprimand for a commission licensee or to suspend or revoke the license or registration of a commission licensee.

      (3) The commission shall revoke any license or registration and shall revoke the right of any person to apply for a license or registration if the person has been convicted of any crime listed in ORS 342.143 (3).

      (4)(a) Except for convictions for crimes listed in ORS 342.143 (3) and subject to subsection (5) of this section, any person whose license or registration has been revoked, or whose right to apply for a license or registration has been revoked, may apply to the commission for reinstatement of the license or registration after one year from the date of the revocation.

      (b) Any person whose license or registration has been suspended, or whose right to apply for a license or registration has been suspended, may apply to the commission for reinstatement of the license or registration.

      (c) The commission may require an applicant for reinstatement to furnish evidence satisfactory to the commission of good moral character, mental and physical health and such other evidence as the commission may consider necessary to establish the applicant’s fitness. The commission may impose a probationary period and such conditions as the commission considers necessary upon approving an application for reinstatement.

      (5) The commission shall reconsider immediately a license or registration suspension or revocation or the situation of a person whose right to apply for a license or registration has been revoked, upon application therefor, when the license or registration suspension or revocation or the right revocation is based on a criminal conviction that is reversed on appeal.

      (6) Violation of rules adopted by the commission relating to competent and ethical performance of professional duties shall be admissible as evidence of gross neglect of duty or gross unfitness.

      (7) A copy of the record of conviction, certified to by the clerk of the court entering the conviction, shall be conclusive evidence of a conviction described in this section. [Formerly 342.070; 1965 c.100 §361; 1971 c.743 §358; 1973 c.228 §1; 1979 c.226 §1; 1979 c.226 §1; 1979 c.307 §3a; 1987 c.158 §59; 1987 c.503 §7; 1991 c.662 §1; 1993 c.45 §168; 1993 c.301 §7; 1993 c.603 §1; 1995 c.768 §15; 1997 c.383 §15; 1997 c.864 §19; 1999 c.199 §10; 1999 c.308 §2; 2007 c.575 §12; 2009 c.386 §1; 2015 c.245 §11; 2015 c.647 §16; 2017 c.21 §51; 2019 c.618 §24; 2021 c.151 §2]

 

      342.176 Complaint process; preliminary investigation; materials confidential; notice. (1)(a) A person may file a complaint with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission regarding a commission licensee. If a complaint concerns an allegation of sexual conduct that may have been committed by a commission licensee, the complaint process provided by this section does not apply and the commission shall investigate the complaint as provided by ORS 339.390.

      (b) Prior to beginning an investigation based on a complaint filed under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the commission may require verification that attempts were made to resolve the complaint through the complaint process of the school district that employs the person against whom the complaint was filed. If the commission does not receive verification within 12 months of providing notice that verification is required, the commission no longer has a duty to investigate the complaint.

      (c) After receiving sufficient verification as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, the commission shall promptly undertake an investigation upon receipt of a complaint or information that constitutes grounds for:

      (A) Refusal to issue a license or registration, as provided under ORS 342.143;

      (B) Suspension or revocation of a license or registration, discipline of a commission licensee, or suspension or revocation of the right to apply for a license or registration, as provided under ORS 342.175; or

      (C) Discipline for failure to provide appropriate notice prior to resignation, as provided under ORS 342.553.

      (2) The commission may appoint an investigator and shall furnish the investigator with appropriate professional and other special assistance reasonably required to conduct the investigation, and the investigator is empowered to issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents over the signature of the executive director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, subpoena witnesses over the signature of the executive director, swear witnesses and compel obedience in the same manner as provided under ORS 183.440 (2).

      (3) Following completion of an investigation, the executive director or the executive director’s designee shall:

      (a) Forward to the commission a report related to any investigation that concluded that a violation occurred under ORS 342.143, 342.175 or 342.553; or

      (b) Determine whether to forward to the commission a report related to any investigation not described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (4) If a report is to be forwarded to the commission as described in subsection (3) of this section, the executive director or the executive director’s designee shall report in writing the findings and recommendations to impose disciplinary sanctions to:

      (a) The commission, meeting in executive session, at its next regular meeting following completion of the investigation; and

      (b) The person against whom the charge is made, following consideration by the commission.

      (5)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the documents and materials used in the investigation undertaken as provided by this section and the report related to the investigation are confidential and not subject to public inspection unless the commission makes a final determination to:

      (A) Refuse to issue a license or registration, as provided under ORS 342.143;

      (B) Suspend or revoke a license or registration, discipline a commission licensee, or suspend or revoke the right to apply for a license or registration, as provided under ORS 342.175; or

      (C) Discipline a person for failure to provide appropriate notice prior to resignation, as provided under ORS 342.553.

      (b) Records made available to the commission under ORS 419B.035 (1)(h) shall be kept confidential.

      (6) If the commission finds from the report that there is sufficient cause to justify holding a hearing under ORS 342.177, the commission shall notify in writing:

      (a) The person charged, enclosing a statement of the charges and a notice of opportunity for hearing;

      (b) The complainant; and

      (c) The employing district or public charter school, if any.

      (7) If there is not sufficient cause to justify holding a hearing under ORS 342.177, the commission shall notify in writing:

      (a) The person charged;

      (b) The complainant; and

      (c) The employing district or public charter school, if any.

      (8) Notwithstanding ORS 192.660 (6), the commission may make its findings under this section in executive session. However, the provisions of ORS 192.660 (4) apply to the sessions. [1979 c.226 §2; 1987 c.503 §2; 1989 c.149 §1; 1991 c.662 §2; 1997 c.165 §2; 1997 c.594 §2; 2003 c.524 §5; 2007 c.575 §13; 2009 c.393 §2; 2009 c.706 §2; 2015 c.245 §12; 2017 c.406 §3; 2019 c.618 §25; 2021 c.151 §3; 2023 c.131 §3]

 

      342.177 Hearing and decision on charges; notice. (1)(a) Hearings under ORS 339.390 and 342.176 shall be conducted by an administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings established under ORS 183.605.

      (b) Any hearing conducted under this section shall be private unless the person against whom the charge is made requests a public hearing. Students attending school in the employing district may not attend any hearing except as witnesses duly subpoenaed to testify with respect to the charges made. Students attending a public charter school that employs the person may not attend any hearing except as witnesses duly subpoenaed to testify with respect to the charges made. The person charged shall have the right to be represented by counsel and to present evidence and argument. The evidence must be confined to the charges.

      (2) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission or the person charged may have subpoenas issued to compel attendance at the hearing. The person charged may have subpoenas issued by an attorney of record subscribed by the signature of the attorney or by the executive director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. Witnesses appearing pursuant to subpoena, other than the parties or officers or employees of the commission, shall receive fees and mileage as prescribed by law for witnesses in ORS 44.415 (2). The commission or the person charged shall have the right to compel the attendance and obedience of witnesses in the same manner as provided under ORS 183.440 (2).

      (3) The commission shall render its decision at its next regular meeting following the hearing. If the decision of the commission is that the charge described in ORS 342.175 (1) has been proven, the commission may take any or all of the following disciplinary action against the person charged:

      (a) Issue a public reprimand.

      (b) Place the person on probation for a period not to exceed four years and subject to such conditions as the commission considers necessary.

      (c) Suspend the license or registration of the teacher or administrator for a period not to exceed one year.

      (d) Revoke the license or registration of the teacher or administrator.

      (e) Revoke the right to apply for a license or registration.

      (4) If the decision of the commission is that the charge is not proven, the commission shall order the charges dismissed.

      (5) The commission shall notify in writing the person charged and the employing district or public charter school of the decision. [1965 c.100 §363; 1965 c.535 §11; 1973 c.228 §2; 1979 c.226 §3; 1989 c.149 §2; 1991 c.662 §3; 1997 c.165 §3; 1999 c.849 §§69,70; 2003 c.75 §33; 2005 c.444 §1; 2007 c.575 §14; 2009 c.706 §3; 2015 c.245 §13; 2019 c.618 §26]

 

      342.180 Appeal. (1) Any person whose license or registration has been suspended or revoked or who has been disciplined, or who has been refused issuance or reinstatement of a license or registration, and is aggrieved at the decision of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, may appeal in the manner provided in ORS 183.480.

      (2) If the district school board or the public charter school employing the teacher or administrator is aggrieved at the decision of the commission, the board or the school may appeal from the decision in the manner provided in ORS 183.480.

      (3) Unless the decision of the commission is accompanied by a finding that immediate suspension or revocation of the teaching license or registration is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of students, an appeal made under this section in a proceeding to suspend or revoke shall operate as a stay of the suspension or revocation, if any, until the determination of the appeal. [Formerly 342.075; 1965 c.100 §364; 1973 c.228 §3; 1999 c.199 §7; 2015 c.245 §14]

 

      342.183 Letters of informal reproval. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may issue a letter of informal reproval to a person licensed, registered or certified by the commission if:

      (a) Following the completion of an investigation, the commission determines that the person has engaged in conduct that affects the person’s ability to be professionally effective, based on standards adopted by the commission by rule; and

      (b) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, the commission agrees not to pursue disciplinary action against the person under ORS 342.175 and the person agrees to the terms of the letter of informal reproval, including a monitoring period.

      (2) A letter of informal reproval issued as provided by subsection (1) of this section shall establish the terms of a monitoring period for the person to whom the letter is issued.

      (3) Upon the issuance of a letter of informal reproval, the commission shall notify the employer of the person to whom the letter is issued, including any terms of the letter that the employer may need to know to assist the person in complying with the terms of the letter.

      (4) A letter of informal reproval issued as provided by subsection (1) of this section:

      (a) Is confidential; and

      (b) Except when a disciplinary action is taken as provided in subsection (5) of this section, may not be posted on an interstate clearinghouse related to educator license sanctions.

      (5) If a person fails to comply with the terms of a letter of informal reproval, the commission may take disciplinary action against the person based on one or both of the following:

      (a) The conduct underlying the letter of informal reproval; or

      (b) The failure to comply with the terms of the letter of informal reproval.

      (6) If the executive director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission determines that a person failed to meet the terms of a letter of informal reproval, the executive director shall report the failure to the commission for the commission to make a final determination pursuant to ORS 339.390 or 342.176.

      (7) The documents and materials used in an investigation for the purposes of this section are confidential and are not subject to public inspection unless the commission makes a final determination to discipline the person pursuant to ORS 342.175. [2009 c.706 §5; 2019 c.618 §27]

 

      Note: 342.183 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.185 [1961 c.677 §3; 1965 c.100 §365; repealed by 1973 c.228 §10]

 

(Miscellaneous)

 

      342.187 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact is enacted into law and entered into on behalf of this state with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

______________________________________________________________________________

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

 

      The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across the member states, with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. Through this Compact, the member states seek to establish a collective regulatory framework that expedites and enhances the ability of teachers to move across state lines.

      This Compact is intended to achieve the following objectives and should be interpreted accordingly:

      A. Create a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility for teachers;

      B. Support the relocation of eligible military spouses;

      C. Facilitate and enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between the member states;

      D. Enhance the power of state and district level education officials to hire qualified, competent teachers by removing barriers to the employment of out-of-state teachers;

      E. Support the retention of teachers in the profession by removing barriers to relicensure in a new state; and

      F. Maintain state sovereignty in the regulation of the teaching profession.

      The member states hereby ratify the same intentions by subscribing hereto.

 

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

 

      As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall govern the terms herein:

      A. “Active military member” means any person with full-time duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

      B. “Adverse action” means any limitation or restriction imposed by a member state’s licensing authority, such as revocation, suspension, reprimand, probation, or limitation on the licensee’s ability to work as a teacher.

      C. “Bylaws” means those bylaws established by the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.

      D. “Career and technical education license” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state’s licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in prekindergarten through grade 12 public educational settings in a specific career and technical education area.

      E. “Charter member states” means a member state that has enacted legislation to adopt this Compact when such legislation predates the initial meeting of the commission after the effective date of this Compact.

      F. “Commission” means the interstate administrative body, which has a membership that consists of delegates of all states that have enacted this Compact and which is known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.

      G. “Commissioner” means the delegate of a member state.

      H. “Eligible license” means a license to engage in the teaching profession that requires at least a bachelor’s degree and the completion of a state approved program for teacher licensure.

      I. “Eligible military spouse” means the surviving spouse of a deceased military member or the spouse of any individual in full-time duty status in the active Armed Forces of the United States including members of the National Guard and Reserve moving as a result of a military mission or military career progression requirements or on a terminal move as a result of separation or retirement.

      J. “Executive committee” means a group of commissioners elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission as provided for herein.

      K. “Licensing authority” means an official, agency, board, or other entity of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of teachers authorized to teach in prekindergarten through grade 12 public educational settings.

      L. “Member state” means any state that has adopted this Compact, including all agencies and officials of the state.

      M. “Receiving state” means any state where a teacher has applied for licensure under this Compact.

      N. “Rule” means any regulation that is promulgated by the commission under this Compact and that shall have the force of law in each member state.

      O. “State” means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, and the District of Columbia.

      P. “State practice laws” means a member state’s laws, rules, and regulations that govern the teaching profession, define the scope of such profession, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline.

      Q. “State specific requirements” means a requirement for licensure covered in coursework or examination that includes content of unique interest to the state.

      R. “Teacher” means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a member state that forms the basis for employment in the prekindergarten through grade 12 public schools of the state to provide instruction in a specific subject area, grade level, or student population.

      S. “Unencumbered license” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state’s licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in prekindergarten through grade 12 public educational settings. An unencumbered license is not a restricted, probationary, provisional, substitute, or temporary credential.

 

ARTICLE III

LICENSURE UNDER THIS COMPACT

 

      A. Licensure under this Compact pertains only to the initial grant of a license by the receiving state. Nothing herein applies to any subsequent or ongoing compliance requirements that a receiving state might require for teachers.

      B. Each member state shall, in accordance with the rules of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission, define, compile, and update as necessary a list of eligible licenses and career and technical education licenses that the member state is willing to consider for equivalency under this Compact and provide the list to the commission. The list shall include those licenses that a receiving state is willing to grant to teachers from other member states, pending a determination of equivalency by the receiving state’s licensing authority.

      C. Upon the receipt of an application for licensure by a teacher holding an unencumbered eligible license, the receiving state shall determine which of the receiving state’s eligible licenses the teacher is qualified to hold and shall grant such a license or licenses to the applicant. Such a determination shall be made in the sole discretion of the receiving state’s licensing authority and may include a determination that the applicant is not eligible for any of the receiving state’s eligible licenses. For all teachers who hold an unencumbered license, the receiving state shall grant one or more unencumbered licenses that, in the receiving state’s sole discretion, are equivalent to the licenses held by the teacher in any other member state.

      D. For active military members and eligible military spouses who hold a license that is not an unencumbered license, the receiving state shall grant an equivalent license or licenses that, in the receiving state’s sole discretion, is equivalent to the license or licenses held by the teacher in any other member state, except when the receiving state does not have an equivalent license.

      E. For a teacher holding an unencumbered license that is a career and technical education license, the receiving state shall grant an unencumbered license equivalent to the career and technical education license held by the applying teacher and issued by another member state, as determined by the receiving state in its sole discretion, except when a career and technical education teacher does not hold a bachelor’s degree and the receiving state requires a bachelor’s degree for licenses to teach career and technical education. A receiving state may require career and technical education teachers to meet state industry recognized requirements, if required by law in the receiving state.

 

ARTICLE IV

LICENSURE NOT UNDER

THIS COMPACT

 

      A. Except as provided in Article III above, nothing in this Compact shall be construed to limit or inhibit the power of a member state to regulate licensure or endorsements overseen by the member state’s licensing authority.

      B. When a teacher is required to renew a license received pursuant to this Compact, the state granting such a license may require the teacher to complete state specific requirements as a condition of licensure renewal or advancement in that state.

      C. For the purposes of determining compensation, a receiving state may require additional information from teachers receiving a license under the provisions of this Compact.

      D. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to limit the power of a member state to control and maintain ownership of its information pertaining to teachers, or limit the application of a member state’s laws or regulations governing the ownership, use, or dissemination of information pertaining to teachers.

      E. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or alter any existing agreement or other cooperative arrangement that a member state may already be a party to, or limit the ability of a member state to participate in any future agreement or other cooperative arrangement to:

      1. Award teaching licenses or other benefits based on additional professional credentials, including national board certification;

      2. Participate in the exchange of names of teachers whose license has been subject to an adverse action by a member state; or

      3. Participate in any agreement or cooperative arrangement with a nonmember state.

 

ARTICLE V

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND

REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

UNDER THIS COMPACT

 

      A. Except as provided for active military members or eligible military spouses in Article III.D above, a teacher may only be eligible to receive a license under this Compact when that teacher holds an unencumbered license in a member state.

      B. A teacher eligible to receive a license under this Compact shall, unless otherwise provided for herein:

      1. Upon the teacher’s application to receive a license under this Compact, undergo a criminal background check in the receiving state in accordance with the laws and regulations of the receiving state; and

      2. Provide the receiving state with information in addition to the information required for licensure for the purposes of determining compensation, if applicable.

 

ARTICLE VI

DISCIPLINE AND ADVERSE ACTIONS

 

      A. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed or construed to limit the authority of a member state to investigate or impose disciplinary measures on teachers according to the state practice laws thereof.

      B. Member states shall be authorized to receive, and shall provide, files and information regarding the investigation and discipline, if any, of teachers in other member states upon request. Any member state receiving such information or files shall protect and maintain the security and confidentiality thereof, in at least the same manner that it maintains its own investigatory or disciplinary files and information. Prior to disclosing any disciplinary or investigatory information received from another member state, the disclosing state shall communicate its intention and purpose for such disclosure to the member state which originally provided that information.

 

ARTICLE VII

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE

INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY

COMPACT COMMISSION

 

      A. The interstate compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.

      1. The commission is a joint interstate governmental agency comprising states that have enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.

      2. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

      B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings.

      1. Each member state shall have and be limited to one delegate to the commission, who shall be given the title of commissioner.

      2. The commissioner shall be the primary administrative officer of the state licensing authority or their designee.

      3. Any commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the commissioner is appointed.

      4. The member state shall fill any vacancy occurring in the commission within 90 days.

      5. Each commissioner shall be entitled to one vote about the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission. A commissioner shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for commissioners’ participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

      6. The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

      7. The commission shall establish by rule a term of office for commissioners.

      C. The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

      1. Establish a code of ethics for the commission.

      2. Establish the fiscal year of the commission.

      3. Establish bylaws for the commission.

      4. Maintain the commission’s financial records in accordance with the bylaws of the commission.

      5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact, the bylaws, and rules of the commission.

      6. Promulgate uniform rules to implement and administer this Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding on all member states, except that, notwithstanding any term to the contrary in this Compact, such rules shall be binding on the State of Oregon only to the extent they are adopted as rules by the state’s licensing authority. In the event the commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law.

      7. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of any member state licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected.

      8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

      9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state, or an associated nongovernmental organization that is open to membership by all states.

      10. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this Compact, and establish the commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters.

      11. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use, any property, real, personal, or mixed, provided that at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

      12. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed.

      13. Establish a budget and make expenditures.

      14. Borrow money.

      15. Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact, rules, or bylaws.

      16. Provide information to and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.

      17. Establish and elect an executive committee.

      18. Establish and develop a charter for an executive information governance committee to advise on facilitating exchange of information, use of information, data privacy, and technical support needs, and provide reports as needed.

      19. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of teacher licensure.

      20. Determine whether a state’s adopted language is materially different from the model language of this Compact such that the state would not qualify for participation in this Compact.

      D. The executive committee of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.

      1. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the commission according to the terms of this Compact.

      2. The executive committee shall be composed of eight voting members:

      a. The commission chair, vice chair, and treasurer; and

      b. Five members who are elected by the commission from the current membership, of whom:

      i. Four voting members representing geographic regions in accordance with commission rules; and

      ii. One at large voting member in accordance with commission rules.

      3. The commission may add or remove members of the executive committee as provided in commission rules.

      4. The executive committee shall meet at least once annually.

      5. The executive committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

      a. Recommend to the entire commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to the legislation of this Compact, fees paid by member states of this Compact such as annual dues, and any fee charged under this Compact by the member states on behalf of the commission.

      b. Ensure commission administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise.

      c. Prepare and recommend the budget.

      d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the commission.

      e. Monitor compliance of member states and provide reports to the commission.

      f. Perform other duties as provided in rules or bylaws.

      6. Meetings of the commission.

      a. All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with commission bylaws.

      b. The commission or the executive committee or other committees of the commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission or executive committee or other committees of the commission must discuss:

      i. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under this Compact.

      ii. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or procedures related to specific employees, or other matters related to the commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures.

      iii. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation.

      iv. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate.

      v. Accusations of any person of a crime or formal censure of any person.

      vi. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.

      vii. Disclosure of information of a personal nature when disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

      viii. Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes.

      ix. Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to this Compact.

      x. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.

      xi. Others matters as set forth by commission bylaws and rules.

      c. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the commission’s legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision.

      d. The commission shall keep minutes of commission meetings and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

      7. Financing of the commission.

      a. The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

      b. The commission may accept all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

      c. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission, in accordance with the commission rules.

      d. The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

      e. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to accounting procedures established under commission bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds of the commission shall be reviewed annually in accordance with commission bylaws, and a report of the review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.

      8. Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.

      a. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

      b. The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person’s intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

      c. The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

 

ARTICLE VIII

RULEMAKING

 

      A. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Compact and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment, except that, notwithstanding any term to the contrary in this Compact, such rules and amendments shall be binding on the State of Oregon only to the extent they are adopted as rules by the state’s licensing authority.

      B. The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules to achieve the intent and purpose of this Compact. In the event the commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the purpose and intent of this Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law in the member states.

      C. If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt this Compact within four years of the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

      D. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted or ratified at a regular or special meeting of the commission in accordance with commission rules and bylaws.

      E. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with 48 hours’ notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:

      1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

      2. Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds;

      3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or

      4. Protect public health and safety.

 

ARTICLE IX

FACILITATING INFORMATION

EXCHANGE

 

      A. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administer and implement the provisions of this Compact in accordance with the rules of the commission, consistent with generally accepted data protection principles.

      B. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed or construed to alter, limit, or inhibit the power of a member state to control and maintain ownership of its licensee information or alter, limit, or inhibit the laws or regulations governing licensee information in the member state.

 

ARTICLE X

OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT

 

      A. Oversight.

      1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes and intent of this Compact. The provisions of this Compact shall have standing as statutory law.

      2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any such similar matter.

      3. All courts and all administrative agencies shall take judicial notice of this Compact, the rules of the commission, and any information provided to a member state pursuant thereto in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact, or which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission.

      4. The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of this Compact and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this Compact, or promulgated rules.

      B. Default, technical assistance, and termination.

      1. If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the commission shall:

      a. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default or any other action to be taken by the commission; and

      b. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

      C. If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from this Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred on that state by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.

      D. Termination of membership in this Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, the state licensing authority, and each of the member states.

      E. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.

      F. The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from this Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.

      G. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.

      H. Dispute resolution.

      1. Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to this Compact that arise among member states or between member and nonmember states.

      2. The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both binding and nonbinding alternative dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

      I. Enforcement.

      1. The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact.

      2. By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of this Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include injunctive relief. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

 

ARTICLE XI

EFFECTUATION, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT

 

      A. This Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the statute of this Compact is enacted into law in the tenth member state.

      1. On or after the effective date of this Compact, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the charter member states to determine if the statute enacted by each such charter member state is materially different from the model statute of this Compact.

      2. A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the model statute of this Compact shall be entitled to the default process set forth in Article X.

      3. Member states enacting this Compact subsequent to the charter member states shall be subject to the process set forth in Article VII.C.20 to determine if their enactments are materially different from the model statute of this Compact and whether they qualify for participation in this Compact.

      B. If any member state is later found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from this Compact, the commission shall remain in existence and this Compact shall remain in effect even if the number of member states should be less than 10.

      C. Any state that joins this Compact after the commission’s initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which this Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day this Compact becomes law in that state, as the rules and bylaws may be amended as provided in this Compact.

      D. Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.

      1. A member state’s withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after enactment of the repealing statute.

      2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state’s licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.

      E. This Compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

 

ARTICLE XII

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

 

      This Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or of a state seeking membership in this Compact, or to the Constitution of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any member state, this Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected as to all severable matters.

 

ARTICLE XIII

CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT

WITH OTHER STATE LAWS

 

      A. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this Compact.

      B. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict with this Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

      C. All permissible agreements between the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

      D. Notwithstanding any term to the contrary in this Compact:

      1. No term of this Compact may be construed to require the State of Oregon to make any payment to the commission or to any other person, entity, or public body, whether domiciled in the State of Oregon or in any other state, territory, or foreign country, other than pursuant to the laws of the State of Oregon regarding the appropriation and expenditure of the funds of the State of Oregon; and

      2. The State of Oregon’s payment of any amounts due under this Compact to the commission, including any assessments or fees imposed under Article VII.D.7.c, or to any other person, entity, or public body, whether domiciled in the State of Oregon or any other state, territory, or foreign country, is conditioned on and subject to the State of Oregon’s receiving appropriations, limitations, allotments or other expenditure authority to allow the State of Oregon, in the exercise of its reasonable administrative discretion, to make such payment.

______________________________________________________________________________ [2023 c.218 §1]

 

      Note: 342.187 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.190 [1961 c.677 §4; 1965 c.100 §366; 1973 c.228 §4; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.192 Licensing requirements for out-of-state applicants; rules. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may issue a license to an out-of-state applicant if the applicant has met the professional requirements established by rule by the commission and has completed a course of study that is acceptable to the commission.

      (2) Applicants granted licenses under this section shall be required to meet all standards required of Oregon teachers, including the requirements of ORS 342.123, not later than two years following the date of initial granting of the license. [Formerly 342.400; 2015 c.245 §15]

 

      342.195 Teaching licenses based on experience in certain federal programs; rules. (1) An otherwise qualified applicant for a preliminary teaching license shall be granted the license upon payment of the required fees and the showing by proof satisfactory to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission that:

      (a) While the applicant was in the Peace Corps program or was a volunteer under section 603 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452), the applicant:

      (A) Completed two years of satisfactory service that emphasized teaching in any preprimary program or in any grade 1 through 12 in subjects regularly taught in public schools; and

      (B)(i) Has completed an approved educator preparation program; or

      (ii) Has earned at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education and has completed a teacher training program provided under the auspices of the federal program; or

      (b) The applicant was a certified instructor for the Armed Forces of the United States, if the applicant provides the commission with documentation of military training or experience that the commission determines is substantially equivalent to the training required for a preliminary teaching license.

      (2)(a) The commission shall establish by rule an expedited process by which a military spouse or domestic partner who is licensed to teach in another state may apply for and obtain a teaching license.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “military spouse or domestic partner” means a spouse or domestic partner of an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is the subject of a military transfer to Oregon. [1967 c.304 §2; 1973 c.270 §9; 1993 c.45 §307; 1997 c.383 §13; 2012 c.43 §1a; 2013 c.351 §2; 2015 c.245 §16; 2015 c.647 §17]

 

      342.197 [Formerly 345.585; 2015 c.647 §18; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.200 Administrative licenses based on professional skills and experience. In order to allow the school districts of the state to take full advantage of various professional skills and disciplines not directly developed through teaching experience or professional education for which teaching experience is a prerequisite, it is the public policy of the State of Oregon that the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, when considering an applicant for an administrative license, shall consider professional skills, education and experience not directly related to, nor contingent upon, teaching experience or training as a classroom teacher. [1971 c.570 §1; 1973 c.270 §10; 2011 c.609 §7; 2015 c.647 §§19,43]

 

      342.202 Administrator comprehensive leadership development system. (1) The Department of Education, in partnership with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, shall create a comprehensive leadership development system for administrators licensed under ORS 342.125.

      (2) The comprehensive leadership development system must include:

      (a) A cost-effective plan that requires the coordination of public and private organizations and resources to:

      (A) Improve the success of this state’s highest needs students;

      (B) Provide research and technical assistance to schools seeking to adopt or enhance evidence-based leadership practices;

      (C) Recruit underrepresented persons into the field of public school leadership; and

      (D) Strengthen the capacity of administrators to improve education in public schools in this state;

      (b) A plan for collaboration and continuous improvement among administrator preparation programs approved by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to support performance-based assessments for administrators and candidates for administrative licensure;

      (c) A plan for recruitment of underrepresented persons into administrator leadership programs;

      (d) The improvement of access to high quality preparation and professional development for administrators working in rural school districts;

      (e) A method for disseminating evidence-based practices to support the development of effective principals and teachers; and

      (f) A method for providing research and technical assistance to school districts to encourage the placement of the most highly effective teachers in the highest need schools. [2011 c.609 §3]

 

      Note: 342.202 was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 342 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.203 Publication of list of teachers, administrators and teacher candidates subjected to discipline. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall regularly publish information online that can be accessed by school districts, public charter schools and education service districts and that includes the following:

      (a) All teachers and administrators whose teaching or administrative licenses have been suspended or revoked or who have been reprimanded or placed on probation during the preceding 12 months.

      (b) All candidates enrolled in approved educator preparation programs under ORS 342.147 whose right to apply for a license or registration has been suspended or revoked during the preceding 12 months.

      (2) If the decision of the commission is appealed under ORS 342.180, the name of the teacher, administrator or candidate shall not be published online under subsection (1) of this section unless and until such decision has been sustained by the Court of Appeals or until the appeal has been dropped. [1973 c.228 §5; 1993 c.45 §169; 2009 c.386 §3; 2015 c.647 §§20,44]

 

      342.205 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.208 Model career pathways for instructional assistants to become licensed teachers. (1) The State Board of Education shall develop model career pathways for instructional assistants, as defined in ORS 342.120, to become licensed teachers. The model career pathways must take into consideration the skills and experience attained by an instructional assistant.

      (2) The model career pathways must identify:

      (a) The minimum requirements for an instructional assistant to participate in a career pathway, including the requirement that the instructional assistant have attained at least an associate degree and be currently employed by a school district or an education service district.

      (b) Guidelines for school districts, education service districts and institutions of higher education to collaborate to assist an instructional assistant who is participating in a career pathway. [2013 c.286 §§2,4; 2015 c.245 §§19,20; 2015 c.774 §§21,53]

 

      Note: 342.208 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.210 [Amended by 1955 c.281 §1; 1959 c.433 §1; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.215 [Repealed by 1957 c.591 §1]

 

      342.216 [1957 c.590 §2; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.218 [1961 c.69 §§2,3; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.220 [Amended by 1957 c.591 §2; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.223 Criminal records check; effect of making false statement; appeal. (1) For the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS 181A.195, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may require the fingerprints of:

      (a) A person who is applying for a license or registration under ORS 342.120 to 342.430 as a teacher, administrator or personnel specialist if the person has not submitted to a criminal records check by the commission within the previous three years or has remained continuously licensed by or registered with the commission for a different license or registration for which the person already has submitted to a criminal records check by the commission.

      (b) A person who is applying for reinstatement of a license or registration as a teacher, administrator or personnel specialist, or a certificate as a school nurse, whose license, registration or certificate has lapsed for at least three years.

      (c) A person who is applying for a certificate under ORS 342.475 as a school nurse.

      (d) A person who is registering with the commission for supervised clinical practice experience, practicum or internship as a teacher, administrator or personnel specialist, if the person does not hold a current license issued by the commission and has not submitted to a criminal records check by the commission within the previous three years for student teaching, practicum or internship as a teacher, administrator or personnel specialist.

      (e) A person who is applying for a registration as a public charter school teacher or administrator under ORS 342.125.

      (2) The making of any false statement as to the conviction of a crime is grounds for refusal to issue, renew or reinstate a license, certificate or registration and is in addition to the grounds stated in ORS 342.143.

      (3) A person may appeal the refusal to issue a license, registration or certificate under this section as a contested case under ORS 183.413 to 183.470, but the refusal to renew or reinstate a license or registration is subject to ORS 342.175 to 342.180, and the commission shall notify the person of the right to appeal. [1993 c.674 §5; 1995 c.446 §9; 1999 c.199 §9; 2001 c.407 §5; 2005 c.730 §19; 2007 c.35 §2; 2007 c.575 §15a; 2008 c.39 §8; 2015 c.245 §21; 2015 c.279 §5; 2015 c.647 §21]

 

      342.225 [Amended by 1957 c.591 §3; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.227 [1993 c.674 §6; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.230 [Amended by 1957 c.591 §4; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.232 [1993 c.674 §6a; 1995 c.67 §41; 1997 c.536 §4; 1999 c.200 §34; 1999 c.1054 §6; 2001 c.407 §6; 2005 c.730 §20; 2007 c.35 §4; 2009 c.437 §2; repealed by 2015 c.245 §54]

 

      342.235 [Amended by 1959 c.433 §2; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.240 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.245 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.250 [Amended by 1957 c.211 §1; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.252 [1955 c.281 §3; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.255 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.260 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.265 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.270 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.275 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.280 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.285 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.290 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.295 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.300 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.305 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.310 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.315 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.320 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.325 [Repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.330 [Amended by 1953 c.638 §2; 1959 c.400 §4; repealed by 1965 c.608 §21]

 

      342.340 [1965 c.535 §1; 1975 c.278 §3; 1991 c.144 §2; repealed by 1993 c.45 §170]

 

TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

 

      342.350 Commission established; confirmation; term; vacancy; effect of change in circumstances. (1) There is created a Teacher Standards and Practices Commission consisting of 17 members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565.

      (2) The term of office of a member is three years. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor to assume the duties on January 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment but only for one additional term. In case of a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

      (3) Any member who through change of employment standing or other circumstances no longer meets the criteria for the position to which the member was appointed shall no longer be eligible to serve in that position, and the position on the commission shall become vacant 60 days following the member’s change in circumstances. [1965 c.535 §2; 1973 c.270 §11; 1975 c.278 §4; 1979 c.307 §4; 2015 c.774 §§22,54]

 

      342.360 Members; qualifications. (1) The membership of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall consist of:

      (a) Four elementary teachers;

      (b) Four middle school or high school teachers;

      (c) One elementary school administrator;

      (d) One middle school or high school administrator;

      (e) One superintendent of a school district;

      (f) One superintendent of an education service district;

      (g) One member from the faculty of an approved educator preparation provider within a private college or university in Oregon;

      (h) One member from the faculty of an approved educator preparation provider within a public university listed in ORS 352.002;

      (i) One member who is also a member of a district school board;

      (j) One member who is employed as classified staff at a public school or for an education service district; and

      (k) One member of the general public.

      (2) Except for those members appointed under subsection (1)(i) to (k) of this section, members must have been actively engaged in teaching, personnel service work or administering in the public schools or in approved educator preparation providers in Oregon for the period of five years immediately preceding appointment. Acting as an elected representative of teachers, personnel service workers or administrators shall be considered teaching, personnel service work or administering for the purposes of the five-year experience requirement. In addition, members appointed under subsection (1)(a) to (f) of this section must hold valid Oregon teaching, personnel service or administrative licenses.

      (3)(a) Throughout the term for which appointed, one of the members appointed under subsection (1) of this section must hold a teaching license with an endorsement in some aspect of special education or have demonstrated knowledge or experience in special education.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “special education” means specially designed education to meet the goals of the individualized education program of a child with a disability including regular classroom instruction, instruction in physical education, home instruction, related services and instruction in hospitals, institutions and special schools. [1965 c.535 §3; 1973 c.270 §12; 1975 c.278 §5; 1979 c.307 §5; 1987 c.503 §9; 1989 c.244 §1; 1993 c.45 §171; 2005 c.209 §38; 2007 c.70 §101; 2011 c.637 §127; 2013 c.1 §40; 2015 c.647 §§22,45; 2023 c.440 §2]

 

      342.370 [1965 c.535 §5; 1975 c.278 §6; repealed by 1979 c.307 §8]

 

      342.380 Organization. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall select one of its members as chairperson, and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with such powers and duties necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the commission shall determine.

      (2) A majority of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. [1965 c.535 §6]

 

      342.390 Meetings; expenses. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall meet at least once every six months at a place, day and hour determined by the commission. The commission shall also meet at such other times and places as are specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the commission or as required by the executive director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for the purposes of ORS 339.390.

      (2) A member of the commission who is employed at a public school or by a private educator preparation provider or by a public university listed in ORS 352.002:

      (a) May not receive compensation for services as a member.

      (b) Shall receive actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as provided by ORS 292.495 (2) and subject to any other applicable law regulating travel and other expenses for state officers.

      (3) A member of the commission who serves on the commission in the capacity of a district school board member or as a member of the general public shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495 (1) and (2). [1965 c.535 §§7,8; 1991 c.662 §4; 1993 c.45 §172; 2011 c.637 §128; 2015 c.245 §23; 2015 c.647 §23; 2019 c.618 §28]

 

      342.400 [1965 c.535 §9; 1973 c.270 §13; 1979 c.307 §6; 1981 c.663 §5; 1987 c.503 §8; 1993 c.45 §173; 1993 c.333 §1; renumbered 342.192 in 2013]

 

      342.410 Executive director; employees. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall appoint a qualified person as executive director and may, subject to the State Personnel Relations Law, employ persons to provide such service as the commission shall require. [1965 c.535 §12; 1973 c.270 §14; 1997 c.165 §4; 2015 c.774 §§23,55]

 

      342.420 Member’s salary; reimbursement to district. (1) Membership on the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall not affect a member’s compensation from the employer of the member or any other benefits to which the member is entitled.

      (2) A school district required to employ a substitute for a teacher or administrator who is absent from employment while performing duties as a member of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall be entitled to reimbursement for the district’s actual expenses in employing the substitute. Reimbursement for the expense of employing such substitutes shall be made by the commission from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Account. [1965 c.535 §13]

 

      342.425 Annual report on duties, powers and functions of commission. (1) The executive director of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall prepare an annual report related to the duties, powers and functions of the commission.

      (2) The report required by this section must include:

      (a) The number of teaching licenses and administrative licenses that have been issued during the previous year.

      (b) Trends related to the number of licenses issued and types of licenses issued during the previous year as compared to earlier years.

      (c) Trends related to sanctions imposed on licensees during the previous year as compared to earlier years.

      (d) A summary of activities occurring during the previous year related to educator preparation programs, including changes made to requirements for approved educator preparation providers, and the status of each educator preparation program in this state.

      (e) A summary of significant changes to rules during the previous year and other efforts by the commission during the previous year to implement statutes.

      (f) A summary of placement of students in educator preparation programs, completion rates for students in educator preparation programs and recommendations for improving teacher preparation programs.

      (3) The report required by this section must be submitted to the appropriate committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than July 1 of every year. [2017 c.406 §2]

 

      Note: 342.425 was added to and made a part of ORS chapter 342 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.430 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Account; use. On or before the 10th day of each month, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall pay into the State Treasury all moneys received under this chapter. The State Treasurer shall credit the moneys to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Account. The moneys in the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Account are continuously appropriated to the commission for the purpose of paying its administrative expenses. [1965 c.535 §15; 1967 c.637 §8; 1973 c.270 §15; 1993 c.45 §174; 2015 c.647 §24]

 

EDUCATORS EQUITY ACT

 

      342.433 Definitions for ORS 342.433 to 342.449. As used in ORS 342.433 to 342.449 and 350.100:

      (1) “Diverse” means culturally or linguistically diverse characteristics of a person, including:

      (a) Origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa but is not Hispanic;

      (b) Hispanic culture or origin, regardless of race;

      (c) Origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands;

      (d) Origins in any of the original peoples of North America, including American Indians or Alaska Natives; or

      (e) A first language that is not English.

      (2) “Educator” means a teacher or an administrator. [1991 c.434 §6; 1993 c.45 §175; 2013 c.778 §1; 2015 c.188 §1; 2021 c.97 §34]

 

      342.435 [1977 c.635 §8; repealed by 1981 c.469 §6]

 

      342.437 Goal. (1) As a result of this state’s commitment to equality for the diverse peoples of this state, the goals of the state are that:

      (a) The percentage of diverse educators employed by a school district or an education service district reflects the percentage of diverse students in the public schools of this state or the percentage of diverse students in the district.

      (b) The percentage of diverse employees employed by the Department of Education reflects the percentage of diverse students in the public schools of this state.

      (2) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Educator Advancement Council, shall use federal reports on educator equity to monitor school district and education service district progress on meeting the goal described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, in relation to the recruitment, hiring and retention of diverse educators. [1991 c.434 §2; 2013 c.778 §2; 2015 c.647 §§25,46; 2021 c.518 §7; 2022 c.44 §1]

 

      342.440 [1971 c.755 §2; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.443 Reports of longitudinal data. (1) The Education and Workforce Policy Advisor shall report biennially to the Legislative Assembly longitudinal data on the number and percentage of:

      (a) Diverse students enrolled in community colleges;

      (b) Diverse students enrolled in public universities;

      (c) Diverse students graduated from public universities;

      (d) Diverse candidates enrolled in public approved educator preparation programs;

      (e) Diverse candidates who have completed public approved educator preparation programs;

      (f) Diverse candidates receiving Oregon teaching or administrative licenses or registrations based on preparation in this state and preparation in other states;

      (g) Diverse educators who are newly employed in the public schools in this state; and

      (h) Diverse educators already employed in the public schools.

      (2) The advisor also shall report comparisons of scores achieved by diverse persons and nondiverse persons on basic skills, pedagogy and subject matter tests.

      (3) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the public universities listed in ORS 352.002, the Department of Education, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, community colleges and school districts shall cooperate with the advisor in collecting data and preparing the report. [1991 c.434 §3; 1997 c.652 §30; 2011 c.637 §129; 2013 c.768 §135a; 2013 c.778 §§4,5; 2015 c.245 §§24,25; 2015 c.647 §§26,27,47,48; 2015 c.767 §§107,108; 2015 c.774 §§24,56]

 

      342.445 [1977 c.635 §9; renumbered 342.485]

 

      342.447 Plans for recruitment, admission, retention and graduation of diverse educators. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall require each public educator preparation program in this state to prepare a plan with specific goals, strategies and deadlines for the recruitment, admission, retention and graduation of diverse educators to accomplish the goal described in ORS 342.437 (1)(a).

      (2) The commission shall review the plans for adequacy and feasibility with the governing board of each public university with an educator preparation program and, after necessary revisions are made, shall adopt the plans.

      (3) The commission shall provide guidance on:

      (a) The contents of the plans;

      (b) The commission’s initial and biennial review process, including timetables for revising plans; and

      (c) Other matters necessary for carrying out the provisions of ORS 342.433 to 342.449 and 350.100. [1991 c.434 §4; 2015 c.188 §6; 2015 c.245 §26; 2015 c.647 §28; 2015 c.767 §109; 2022 c.44 §2]

 

      342.448 Reports related to implementation of Educators Equity Act. (1) Representatives of the Educator Advancement Council, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Department of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall jointly create a report on the Educators Equity Act. The report shall be created in consultation with educator preparation providers and shall include:

      (a) A summary of the most recent data collected as provided by ORS 342.443 (1)(d) to (h).

      (b) A summary of the plans currently implemented as provided by ORS 342.447.

      (c) A review of the goal described in ORS 342.437 (1)(a), including:

      (A) Determination of the need for additional related state goals.

      (B) Progress made by the state toward meeting the goal described in ORS 342.437 (1)(a) and any other additional related state goals.

      (C) Recommendations and a long-term plan for meeting the goal described in ORS 342.437 (1)(a) and any other additional related state goals.

      (d) A description of best practices within this state and other states for recruiting, hiring and retaining diverse educators.

      (e) Recommendations for legislation to help the state meet the goal described in ORS 342.437 (1)(a) and any other additional related state goals.

      (2)(a) The report created as provided by subsection (1) of this section shall be submitted:

      (A) To the interim legislative committees on education by September 1 of each even-numbered year; and

      (B) To the Legislative Assembly in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 by September 1 of each even-numbered year.

      (b) The report submitted as required by paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection shall be submitted with the data reported as required by ORS 342.443 (1)(d) to (h).

      (3) The Educator Advancement Council, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Department of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall make the report submitted as provided under subsection (2) of this section available on the website of each agency. [2015 c.188 §11; 2015 c.774 §§76,76a; 2021 c.331 §1; 2022 c.44 §3]

 

      342.449 Short title. ORS 342.433 to 342.449 and 350.100 shall be known and may be cited as the Educators Equity Act. [1991 c.434 §1; 2015 c.188 §9]

 

      342.450 [1965 c.390 §1; 1969 c.647 §1; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

SCHOOL NURSES

 

      342.455 Definition of “school nurse.” “School nurse” as used in ORS 342.465 and 342.475, means a registered nurse who is certified by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission as qualified to conduct and coordinate the health services programs of a school. [Formerly 678.505]

 

      342.460 [1965 c.390 §§2,3; 1969 c.647 §2; 1971 c.755 §3; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.465 Rules; notice if action taken on license. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall adopt by rule standards necessary for the issuance, denial, continuation, renewal, lapse or reinstatement of certificates issued under ORS 342.475 (1) to (3) and for establishment and collection of fees for certification as a school nurse. The commission may adopt by rule procedures for revocation of a certificate issued under ORS 342.475 (1) to (3) that are consistent with ORS 342.175 to 342.180.

      (2) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall notify the commission whenever the board takes any action on a license issued under ORS chapter 678 which might affect the ability of the license holder to practice as a school nurse. [Formerly 678.525; 1993 c.45 §176]

 

      342.470 [1965 c.390 §4; 1969 c.647 §3; 1971 c.755 §4; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.475 School nurses; certificates. (1) “School nurse” is established as a category of specialization in nursing.

      (2) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall issue a certificate as a school nurse to a person who complies with the rules established by the commission for the certification and practice of school nursing and who has been licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. In establishing rules for the certification and practice of any specialization of school nursing, the commission shall consider the recommendations of the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

      (3) The commission may issue an emergency certificate that authorizes a person licensed as a registered nurse in this state who does not meet the requirements of subsection (2) of this section to practice as a school nurse. Such certificates shall be issued for a limited time as set by the commission.

      (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (3) of this section, the commission shall issue a certificate in a school nurse specialization category to a registered nurse who applies for certification and who is employed by a school, school district or education service district to conduct and coordinate a school or district health services program or who serves in such a capacity on a voluntary basis on November 1, 1981. A certificate issued under this subsection shall be issued without further proof of qualification by the applicant.

      (5) A certificate issued under this section is not a teaching license. The nurse holding a certificate issued under this section is not subject to ORS 238.280 or 342.805 to 342.937. [Formerly 678.515; 2019 c.358 §4]

 

      342.480 [1971 c.755 §5; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.485 Commission to consult with and advise Oregon State Board of Nursing on school nursing. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall consult with and advise the Oregon State Board of Nursing on the qualifications and practices involved in school nursing. [Formerly 342.445]

 

      342.495 Holder of school nurse certificate qualified to conduct and coordinate health services program. (1) The holder of a school nurse certificate issued under ORS 342.475 (1) to (3) is qualified to accept employment to conduct and coordinate the health services programs of any public school in the State of Oregon. A person licensed as a registered nurse may use the term “nurse” as part of a title when employed by a school.

      (2) No school or school district is required to employ as a nurse a person certified under ORS 342.475 (1) to (3). [Formerly 342.982]

 

      342.505 [Amended by 1955 c.219 §1; 1961 c.383 §1; 1965 c.100 §367; repealed by 1993 c.45 §177]

 

      342.508 [1957 c.446 §1; 1965 c.100 §368; 1965 c.608 §20; repealed by 1973 c.298 §9]

 

      342.510 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §380; renumbered 342.965]

 

CONTRACTS OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

      342.513 Renewal or nonrenewal of contracts for following year. (1) Each district school board shall give written notice of the renewal or nonrenewal of the contract for the following school year by March 15 of each year to all teachers and administrators in its employ who are not contract teachers as defined in ORS 342.815. In case the district school board does not renew the contract, the material reason therefor shall, at the request of the teacher or administrator, be included in the records of the school district, and the board shall furnish a statement of the reason for nonrenewal to the teacher or administrator. If any district school board fails to give such notice by March 15, the contract shall be considered renewed for the following school year at a salary not less than that being received at the time of renewal. The teacher or administrator may bring an action of mandamus to compel the district school board to issue such a contract for the following school year.

      (2) This section is not effective unless teachers or administrators notify the board in writing on or before April 15 of acceptance or rejection of the position for the following school year. [Formerly 342.635; 1975 c.770 §47; 1979 c.714 §1; 1997 c.864 §24; 2005 c.22 §236]

 

      342.515 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §381; repealed by 1993 c.45 §178]

 

      342.520 [Amended by 1959 c.361 §1; 1965 c.100 §382; renumbered 342.970]

 

      342.521 Contracts with teachers for return of part of salary prohibited. No district shall enter into a contract with any teacher whereby the teacher shall return to the district any part of the salary of the teacher. If any board and teacher enter into such contract, the contract is void and the teacher’s teaching license shall be revoked. [Formerly 342.613]

 

      342.525 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §383; renumbered 342.613]

 

      342.530 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §370; 1967 c.324 §1; 1969 c.84 §1; repealed by 1973 c.298 §9]

 

      342.535 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §371; repealed by 1969 c.84 §2]

 

      342.540 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §372; repealed by 1969 c.84 §2]

 

      342.545 Termination of teacher’s contract; release. (1) Sickness or other unavoidable circumstances which prevent the teacher from teaching 20 school days immediately following exhaustion of sick leave accumulated under ORS 332.507 shall be sufficient reason for the school board to place the teacher on leave without pay for the remainder of the regular school year and to terminate the teacher’s employment without penalty on August 1 if the school board determines that the teacher is unable to resume teaching responsibilities at the beginning of the next fall term. This subsection applies to teachers whose employment is based either upon contract or tenure, or both.

      (2) A district school board may release a teacher from a contract by mutual agreement. No board is required to consider any resignation not in writing. [Formerly 342.640; 1969 c.106 §1; 1977 c.860 §2; 1979 c.269 §1]

 

      342.549 Administrator contracts; benefits after termination. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Administrator” means a person who is employed as an administrator or is performing administrative duties, regardless of whether the person is required to have a license, and includes but is not limited to superintendents, assistant superintendents and business managers.

      (b) “Administrator” does not include a person who is subject to ORS 342.805 to 342.937.

      (2) A school district, education service district or public charter school shall:

      (a) Enter into an employment contract, with each administrator, that has provisions that cover the duration of the contract, conditions for contract termination and extension and conditions for employee resignation; and

      (b) Have the current employment contract for each administrator on file in the central office of the district or school.

      (3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a school district, education service district or public charter school may not enter into an employment contract with an administrator that contains provisions that expressly obligate the district or school to compensate the administrator for work that is not performed.

      (4) A school district, education service district or public charter school may provide health benefits for an administrator who is no longer employed by the district or school until the administrator:

      (a) Reaches 65 years of age; or

      (b) Finds new employment that provides health benefits.

      (5) For a period of one year after the termination of the contract between an administrator and a school district, education service district or public charter school, the administrator may not:

      (a) Purchase property or surplus property owned by the district or school; or

      (b) Use property owned by the district or school in a manner other than the manner permitted for the general public in a school district or education service district or at a public charter school. [Formerly 342.603]

 

      Note: 342.549 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.550 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.553 Discipline for resigning without providing required notice. (1) Upon notice from a district school board of the resignation of a person who is licensed by or registered with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, the commission may discipline the person if the person entered into a written contract to work in a public school and resigned the position without first providing 60 days’ written notice, or the notice required in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, to the district superintendent or the school board.

      (2) In disciplining a person as provided under this section, the commission shall follow the procedure set forth in ORS 342.175 (4), 342.176 and 342.177. [Formerly 342.645; 1975 c.258 §1; 2009 c.706 §1]

 

      342.555 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.560 [Amended by 1955 c.618 §1; 1965 c.100 §384; renumbered 342.975]

 

      342.565 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.570 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.575 [Amended by 1955 c.618 §2; 1965 c.100 §385; renumbered 342.980]

 

      342.580 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.585 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.590 [Repealed by 1963 c.544 §52]

 

      342.595 [Amended by 1953 c.392 §2; 1961 c.357 §1; 1963 c.211 §1; 1965 c.100 §375; 1975 c.431 §1; repealed by 1977 c.860 §5]

 

      342.596 [1957 c.457 §1; 1963 c.122 §1; 1965 c.100 §376; 1965 c.183 §1; 1977 c.860 §3; 1991 c.599 §1; renumbered 332.507 in 1993]

 

      342.598 [1965 c.254 §1; renumbered 332.432 in 1993]

 

      342.599 [1977 c.826 §3; repealed by 1993 c.45 §180]

 

      342.600 [Amended by 1955 c.101 §2; 1961 c.439 §12; 1963 c.544 §50a; 1965 c.100 §378; 1965 c.216 §1; repealed by 1967 c.67 §13 (342.601 enacted in lieu of 342.600)]

 

      342.601 [1967 c.67 §14 (enacted in lieu of 342.600); 1975 c.278 §8; 1975 c. 770 §48a; 1981 c.128 §1 repealed by 1983 c.187 §1]

 

      342.602 [Formerly 342.065; 1965 c.100 §379; repealed by 1973 c.458 §3]

 

      342.603 [2007 c.309 §1; renumbered 342.549 in 2009]

 

      342.604 [1971 c.519 §2; 1989 c.491 § 28; renumbered 332.534 in 1993]

 

      342.605 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL

 

      342.608 Working hours for licensed personnel; duty-free lunch period required; exception. (1) School boards shall fix the working hours for full-time and part-time licensed staff members. They shall direct that full-time staff members be provided a time for a 30-minute continuous duty-free lunch period during the regularly scheduled lunch hours.

      (2) Any school principal who fails to schedule a continuous 30-minute duty-free lunch period in accordance with this section shall be guilty of neglect of duty under ORS 342.865.

      (3) No teacher shall by oral orders or written agreement fail to receive a 30-minute lunch period.

      (4) School boards shall not be required to employ special personnel to supervise students during lunch periods.

      (5) This section does not apply in school buildings where fewer than three teachers are employed. [1971 c.201 §1]

 

      Note: Sections 26 and 27, chapter 592, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 26. Task Force on Statewide Educator Salary Schedules. (1) The Task Force on Statewide Educator Salary Schedules is established.

      (2) The task force consists of 12 members appointed as follows:

      (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member who is the chairperson of the Senate interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education.

      (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member who is the chairperson of the House interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education.

      (c) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall jointly appoint the following 10 members:

      (A) A member who is a representative of a coalition that represents school administrators;

      (B) A member who is a representative of an association that represents school boards;

      (C) A member who is a representative of an association that primarily represents licensed educators;

      (D) A member who is a representative of an association that primarily represents classified educator staff;

      (E) A member who is a superintendent of a school district;

      (F) A member who is a licensed teacher of a school district;

      (G) A member who is a classified school employee at a school district;

      (H) A member who is a business manager or a human resources manager for a school district; and

      (I) Two members who are parents of students in the public schools of this state.

      (3) The task force shall:

      (a) Study the benefits and challenges of implementing a statewide salary schedule for educators in this state.

      (b) Propose a statewide salary schedule for educators, which must include regional differences. When developing the statewide salary schedule, the task force must:

      (A) Consider whether the regional differences shall align with the regions specified in ORS 653.025 or make recommendations for other regional designations.

      (B) Consider and make recommendations regarding pay for student teachers.

      (C) Consider and make recommendations regarding pay for educators and classified school employees when 75 percent or more of the educator’s or employee’s student caseload consists of students who have an individualized education program.

      (4) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

      (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

      (6) The members of the task force who are members of the Legislative Assembly shall serve as cochairpersons.

      (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

      (8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the cochairpersons or of a majority of the voting members of the task force.

      (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

      (10) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than:

      (a) December 31, 2023, to provide information on the study described in subsection (3)(a) of this section; and

      (b) September 15, 2024, to propose the statewide salary schedule for educators described in subsection (3)(b) of this section.

      (11) The Legislative Policy and Research Director shall provide staff support to the task force.

      (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task force.

      (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of the duties of the task force and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. [2023 c.592 §26]

      Sec. 27. Repeal. Section 26 of this 2023 Act is repealed on December 31, 2024. [2023 c.592 §27]

 

      342.609 [1977 c.137 §1; renumbered 336.081 in 1993]

 

      342.610 Minimum salary for substitute teachers. (1)(a) A teacher employed as a substitute teacher may not be paid less per day than 85 percent of 1/190th of the statewide average salary of a beginning teacher who holds a bachelor’s degree.

      (b) The Department of Education shall compute the statewide average salary of a beginning teacher who holds a bachelor’s degree to be used for purposes of this subsection by:

      (A) Using the latest data available to the department; and

      (B) Not using data from earlier than the preceding school year.

      (2) A school district shall set the working hours for a substitute teacher and, when a teacher is employed as a substitute teacher for the school district, the school district shall pay the substitute teacher a salary that is:

      (a) No less than one-half of the daily minimum salary computed under subsection (1) of this section if the teacher is employed as a substitute teacher for less than one-half day; or

      (b) No less than the daily minimum salary computed under subsection (1) of this section if the teacher is employed as a substitute teacher for one-half day or more.

      (3)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a teacher employed as a substitute teacher for more than 10 consecutive days in any one assignment for the same teacher shall not be paid after the 10th day of the assignment less per day than:

      (A) For school districts with no salary scale, 100 percent of 1/190th of the statewide average salary computed in subsection (1) of this section; or

      (B) For school districts with a salary scale, the higher of:

      (i) 1/190th of the employing school district’s salary for a beginning teacher who holds a bachelor’s degree; or

      (ii) The daily minimum salary computed under subsection (1) of this section.

      (b) Used sick leave, whether paid or unpaid, and weekends, school holidays and days when schools are closed by weather or other conditions and when substitute teachers are not required to appear in person at the school may not be considered in determining consecutive days for purposes of this subsection.

      (c) When substituting for a part-time teacher, the part of the day worked by the substitute teacher shall count as a full day in determining consecutive days for purposes of this subsection.

      (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (3) of this section, if a school district has a class schedule based on a four-day week:

      (a) The daily minimum salary computed under subsection (1) or (3) of this section must be multiplied by 1.125; and

      (b) Calculations described in subsection (3) of this section must be made after a teacher has been employed as a substitute teacher for more than eight consecutive days in any one assignment for the same teacher.

      (5)(a) A school district shall classify a substitute teaching assignment as a temporary position when the school district determines that a teacher will be employed as a substitute teacher for 60 or more consecutive days in any one assignment for the same teacher.

      (b) The designation under paragraph (a) of this subsection must occur either:

      (A) At the beginning of the substitute teaching assignment; or

      (B) As soon as practicable, but no later than 10 consecutive days, after the school district determines that a substitute teaching assignment will be extended to 60 or more consecutive days.

      (c) If a school district has a class schedule based on a four-day week, the school district shall:

      (A) Classify a substitute teaching assignment as a temporary position when the school district determines that a teacher will be employed as a substitute teacher for 48 or more consecutive days in any one assignment for the same teacher; and

      (B) Make the designation described in paragraph (b)(B) of this subsection when the school district determines that a teacher will be employed as a substitute teacher for 48 or more consecutive days in any one assignment for the same teacher.

      (d) Nothing in this subsection prohibits a school district from making the classification required under paragraph (a) or (c) of this subsection after fewer consecutive days.

      (6) A teacher employed by a school district as a substitute teacher shall be paid for any training that is required for that teacher to apply for or be assigned to a substitute teaching assignment.

      (7) This section does not apply to substitute teachers represented in a bargaining unit in the school district by which they are employed. [Amended by 1955 c.130 §1; 1957 c.262 §1; 1965 c.100 §377; 1967 c.625 §1; 1971 c.536 §1; 1977 c.531 §1; 1979 c.167 §1; 1987 c.402 §1; 1991 c.198 §1; 1995 c.793 §1; 1999 c.706 §1; 2015 c.71 §1; 2023 c.592 §24]

 

      Note: Sections 21 and 22, chapter 592, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 21. Task Force on Substitute Teachers. (1) The Task Force on Substitute Teachers is established.

      (2) The task force consists of 12 members appointed as follows:

      (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from among members of the Senate.

      (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members from among members of the House of Representatives.

      (c) The Governor shall appoint eight members as follows:

      (A) One member who is a representative of an association that primarily represents licensed educators;

      (B) One member who is a representative of an organization that represents substitute teachers;

      (C) One member who is a representative of a coalition that represents school administrators;

      (D) One member who is a representative of an association that represents school boards;

      (E) One member who is a representative of an organization that represents education service districts;

      (F) One member who is a representative of a third-party employment service provider for substitute teachers;

      (G) One member who is a representative of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; and

      (H) One member who is a representative of the Department of Education.

      (3) The task force shall:

      (a) Review school district requests for proposal related to substitute teachers;

      (b) Conduct a cost savings analysis of providing substitute teachers through third-party employment service providers;

      (c) Examine policies in other states related to the use of third-party employment service providers for substitute teachers;

      (d) Explore a model that provides the services of substitute teachers through education service districts;

      (e) Explore processes that ensure substitute teachers are provided access to electronic mail and Internet service, as is necessary for their service as a substitute teacher;

      (f) Establish a model policy for ensuring that substitute teachers are supervised by licensed administrators; and

      (g) Develop recommendations for legislation related to standards for contracts for substitute teachers through third-party employment service providers.

      (4) A majority of the voting members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

      (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the voting members of the task force.

      (6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

      (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

      (8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the voting members of the task force.

      (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

      (10) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2024.

      (11) The Legislative Policy and Research Director shall provide staff support to the task force.

      (12) Members of the Legislative Assembly appointed to the task force are nonvoting members of the task force and may act in an advisory capacity only.

      (13) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task force.

      (14) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of the duties of the task force and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. [2023 c.592 §21]

      Sec. 22. Repeal. Section 21 of this 2023 Act is repealed on December 31, 2024. [2023 c.592 §22]

 

      342.613 [Formerly 342.525; 1967 c.67 §12; renumbered 342.521 in 2009]

 

      342.615 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §386; repealed by 1979 c.166 §1]

 

      342.617 [1985 c.585 §2; 1993 c.45 §184; renumbered 332.554 in 1993]

 

      342.620 [Repealed by 1979 c.166 §1]

 

      342.621 Authorized pay for licensed educators and classified school employees who provide significant special education support. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Classified school employee” includes all employees of a school district except those for whom a teaching or administrative license is required as a basis for employment in a school district.

      (b) “Individualized education program” has the meaning given that term in ORS 343.035.

      (c) “Licensed educator” means a teacher, administrator or other school professional who is licensed, registered or certified by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (d) “Salary” has the meaning given that term in ORS 653.010.

      (e) “School district” means:

      (A) A common school district or a union high school district.

      (B) An education service district.

      (2) For each licensed educator or classified school employee who provides significant special education support, as determined under subsection (3) of this section, a school district may pay one or more of the following:

      (a) An additional percentage of the educator’s or employee’s salary or hourly wage.

      (b) Notwithstanding ORS 652.220, a one-time payment in addition to the educator’s or employee’s salary or hourly wage.

      (3) For purposes of this section, a licensed educator or a classified school employee provides significant special education support if 75 percent or more of the educator’s or employee’s student caseload consists of students who have an individualized education program.

      (4) A salary or wage increase specified in subsection (2) of this section is exclusive of health benefits and other benefits the school district provides to licensed educators or classified school employees or that are otherwise required under the laws of this state. [2023 c.592 §5]

 

      Note: 342.621 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.625 [Repealed by 1979 c.166 §1]

 

      342.626 Work hour requirements for classified school employees who provide significant special education support. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Classified school employee” includes all employees of a school district except those for whom a teaching or administrative license is required as a basis for employment in a school district.

      (b) “Individualized education program” has the meaning given that term in ORS 343.035.

      (c) “School district” means:

      (A) A common school district or a union high school district.

      (B) An education service district.

      (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a school district that employs classified school employees who provide significant special education support, as determined under subsection (4) of this section, may not establish, for any purpose, a policy that requires the work day hours of a classified school employee to be fewer than five hours per work day on regular school days when schools are normally in operation and students are present.

      (3)(a) A school district may reduce the work day hours of a classified school employee to fewer than five hours per work day if the reduction in hours is at the written request of the employee.

      (b) A school district may not coerce or require, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, a classified school employee to make a request for a reduction in work day hours.

      (4) For the purpose of this section, a classified school employee provides significant special education support if 75 percent or more of the employee’s student caseload consists of students who have an individualized education program. [2023 c.592 §6]

 

      Note: 342.626 becomes operative July 1, 2024. See section 7, chapter 592, Oregon Laws 2023.

 

      Note: 342.626 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.630 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.635 [Amended by 1957 c.443 §1; 1965 c.100 §369; renumbered 342.513]

 

      342.640 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §373; 1965 c.163 §1; renumbered 342.545]

 

      342.645 [Amended by 1953 c.36 §2; 1959 c.441 §1; 1965 c.100 §374; renumbered 342.553]

 

      342.650 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §387; 2009 c.744 §4; repealed by 2010 c.105 §3]

 

      342.655 [Amended by 1965 c.100 §388; 1987 c.503 §3; repealed by 2010 c.105 §3]

 

      342.660 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.663 [1969 c.266 §§1,2,3; 1993 c.45 §186; renumbered 332.544 in 1993]

 

      342.664 Required ratio of pupils to staff holders of first aid cards; waiver; rules. (1) The State Board of Education shall establish by rule the ratio of the number of pupils to the number of staff members who must hold current, recognized first aid cards in each school.

      (2) In order to attain or maintain the ratio set under subsection (1) of this section, the district may require any staff member as a condition of employment to hold a current, recognized first aid card. The staff member shall have 90 days from the date on which the district imposes the requirement to obtain the first aid card.

      (3) The district may waive the requirement of subsection (2) of this section for any staff member who is unable by reason of disability to obtain a recognized first aid card. [Formerly 342.169; 2011 c.313 §16]

 

      Note: 342.664 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.665 [Amended by 1961 c.204 §1; repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.670 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.675 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.676 Survey on working experiences of education workforce; availability of survey information; rules. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Education workforce” means licensed and classified staff who are:

      (A) Employed by a public education provider; or

      (B) Under contract to provide services to a public education provider.

      (b) “Public education provider” means:

      (A) A school district;

      (B) A public charter school;

      (C) An education service district;

      (D) A long term care or treatment facility, as described in ORS 343.961;

      (E) The Youth Corrections Education Program;

      (F) The Juvenile Detention Education Program; or

      (G) The Oregon School for the Deaf.

      (2) Each public education provider shall:

      (a) Encourage members of the education workforce of the public education provider to participate in a survey administered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist in the gathering of information about the working experiences of the education workforce of this state, including the experience in the school district and in individual schools; and

      (b) Ensure that members of the education workforce of the public education provider have the opportunity to participate in the survey described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (3) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Educator Advancement Council, shall adopt by rule the standards for the survey administered under this section.

      (4) The department shall annually review the survey identified in subsection (2) of this section and:

      (a) Make the information available to school district boards, administrators of school districts and administrators of schools in a manner that allows for the accessibility of the information:

      (A) On a district level and a school level; and

      (B) Through the interactive data visualization tool; and

      (b) Report annually on education workforce satisfaction to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education.

      (5) The department may enter into a contract or a partnership with any public or private entity, including the federal government, for the purpose of this section. [2023 c.592 §4]

 

      Note: 342.676 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 592, Oregon Laws 2023, provide:

      Sec. 1. Plans for statewide data system on education workforce and statewide portal for jobs in education. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Education workforce” means licensed and classified staff who are:

      (A) Employed by a public education provider; or

      (B) Under contract to provide services to a public education provider.

      (b) “Public education provider” means:

      (A) A school district;

      (B) A public charter school;

      (C) An education service district;

      (D) A long term care or treatment facility, as described in ORS 343.961;

      (E) The Youth Corrections Education Program;

      (F) The Juvenile Detention Education Program; or

      (G) The Oregon School for the Deaf.

      (2) For the purpose of supporting the education workforce in this state:

      (a) The Department of Education shall develop and implement a plan to establish and maintain a statewide data system on the education workforce in this state.

      (b) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall develop and implement a plan to establish and maintain the statewide portal for jobs in education, as described in section 5 (1)(b), chapter 116, Oregon Laws 2022, and shall consider whether to make available exit surveys as part of the portal.

      (3)(a) The Department of Education shall convene a steering committee to assist the department in developing a business case for the statewide data system described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

      (b) The steering committee convened under this subsection shall consist of:

      (A) One representative from each educator preparation program in this state;

      (B) One representative from the department;

      (C) One representative from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission;

      (D) One representative from the Educator Advancement Council;

      (E) One representative from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission;

      (F) One representative from a statewide organization that primarily represents licensed staff of the education workforce;

      (G) One representative from a statewide organization that primarily represents classified staff of the education workforce;

      (H) One representative from a statewide organization that represents school administrators;

      (I) One representative from a statewide organization that represents school boards; and

      (J) One representative who is an expert on the statewide longitudinal data system.

      (c) The statewide data system developed as provided by this subsection must allow the department to assign unique identifiers to each individual who is a member of the education workforce. The identifier may not use any personally identifiable information, except for alignment purposes in data processing. Any personally identifiable information that is collected must be linked in a secure data location so that data sets can be matched based on the personally identifiable information when the identifier is included.

      (d) The statewide data system developed as provided by this subsection must allow the following uses:

      (A) Identifying school district hiring needs by content area and geographic location;

      (B) Providing information, by content area, about graduates of educator preparation programs and persons who complete nontraditional pathways to licensure;

      (C) Identifying educator mobility, attrition and retention patterns;

      (D) Determining educator longevity and possible factors that affect longevity;

      (E) Evaluating school climate and culture from the educator’s perspective based on the surveys administered as provided by section 4 of this 2023 Act [342.676];

      (F) Evaluating pay in relation to local economic data from the most recent American Community Survey from the United States Census Bureau; and

      (G) Studying education workforce trends and needs in this state in a manner that:

      (i) Includes a review of:

      (I) The satisfaction of persons who complete educator preparation programs in this state;

      (II) Employer satisfaction with the availability and skills of the education workforce in this state; and

      (III) Hiring and retention trends of the education workforce in this state; and

      (ii) Is sortable by school district, geographic location, school, grade level, teacher characteristics and educator preparation program of this state.

      (e) To the greatest extent practicable, the department and steering committee shall:

      (A) Ensure that the collection of data under the statewide data system aligns with the collection of data under ORS 342.443; and

      (B) Reduces redundancies by incorporating any other relevant data processes or procedures.

      (f) The steering committee shall assist the department in ensuring that the information described in paragraph (d) of this subsection is available to the public through a visually appealing interactive data visualization tool that is accessible on the department’s website home page.

      (g) The Department of Education shall consult with each public education provider, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, the Educator Advancement Council, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the public universities listed in ORS 352.002 to ensure that each entity is prepared to collect information as required for the statewide data system.

      (h) The department shall consider whether to enter into a contract or a partnership with any public or private entity, including the federal government, for the purpose of the statewide data system.

      (4) The Department of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall submit a report on the actions required to be taken under subsection (2) of this section in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2024. [2023 c.592 §1]

      Sec. 2. Repeal. Section 1 of this 2023 Act is repealed on January 2, 2025. [2023 c.592 §2]

 

      342.680 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

      342.685 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 

      342.700 Policy on sexual harassment; posting and availability of policy. It is the policy of the State of Oregon that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in schools. A school district shall adopt a policy on sexual harassment for students and staff members that meets the requirements of ORS 342.704. A school district shall make the sexual harassment policy available to students, parents of students and staff members. A school district’s sexual harassment policy shall be posted on a sign that is at least 8.5 by 11 inches in size. The school district shall post the sign in all grade 6 through 12 schools in the school district. [1997 c.272 §1; 2018 c.38 §2]

 

      Note: 342.700 to 342.708 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.704 Adoption of policies on sexual harassment required; contents; rules. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “District” includes a school district, an education service district and a public charter school.

      (b) “Without consent” means an act performed:

      (A) Without the knowing, voluntary and clear agreement by all parties to participate in the specific act; or

      (B) When a person who is a party to the act is:

      (i) Incapacitated by drugs or alcohol;

      (ii) Unconscious; or

      (iii) Pressured through physical force, coercion or explicit or implied threats to participate in the act.

      (2)(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt by rule minimum requirements for district policies on:

      (A) Sexual harassment of students by staff members and other students.

      (B) Sexual harassment of staff members by students and other staff members.

      (C) Sexual harassment of persons described in subsection (5)(b) of this section by staff members and students.

      (b) A private school shall adopt policies on:

      (A) Sexual harassment of students by staff members and other students.

      (B) Sexual harassment of staff members by students and other staff members.

      (C) Sexual harassment of persons described in subsection (5)(b) of this section by staff members and students.

      (c) Rules adopted by the State Board of Education and policies adopted by private schools must comply with the requirements of this section.

      (3) A policy on sexual harassment of students by staff members and other students must include requirements that:

      (a) All staff members and students are subject to the policies.

      (b) Sexual harassment of students includes:

      (A) A demand or request for sexual favors in exchange for benefits;

      (B) Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal or nonverbal and that interferes with a student’s educational program or activity or that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile educational environment; and

      (C) Assault when sexual contact occurs without consent.

      (c) When a student or, if applicable, the student’s parents file a complaint alleging behavior that may violate the policy, the student or student’s parents shall receive a written notification as described in subsection (6) of this section.

      (d) When a staff member becomes aware of behavior that may violate the policy, the staff member shall report to an official of the district or private school so that the official and the staff member may coordinate efforts to take any action necessary to ensure the student is protected and to promote a nonhostile learning environment, including:

      (A) Providing resources for support measures to the student; and

      (B) Taking any actions that are necessary to remove potential future impact on the student, but that are not retaliatory against the student or the staff member who reported to the official of the district or private school.

      (e) All complaints about behavior that may violate the policy shall be investigated.

      (f) The initiation of a complaint, and the participation in an investigation, in good faith about behavior that may violate the policy may not adversely affect the educational assignments or any terms or conditions of employment or of work or educational environment of the person who initiated the complaint or who participated in the investigation.

      (g) The person who initiated the complaint and, if applicable, the student’s parents shall be notified:

      (A) When the investigation is initiated and concluded; and

      (B) As to whether a violation of the policy was found to have occurred, to the extent allowable under state and federal student confidentiality laws.

      (4) A policy on sexual harassment of staff members by students and other staff members must include requirements that:

      (a) All staff members and students are subject to the policies.

      (b) Sexual harassment of staff members includes:

      (A) A demand or request for sexual favors in exchange for benefits;

      (B) Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal or nonverbal and that interferes with a staff member’s ability to perform the job or that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment; and

      (C) Assault when sexual contact occurs without consent.

      (c) When a staff member files a complaint alleging behavior that may violate the policy, the staff member shall receive a written notification as described in subsection (6) of this section.

      (d) When another staff member becomes aware of behavior that may violate the policy, the other staff member shall report to an official of the district or private school so that the official may take any action necessary to ensure the staff member is protected and to promote a nonhostile work environment, including:

      (A) Providing resources for support measures to the staff member; and

      (B) Taking any actions that are necessary to remove potential future impact on the staff member, but that are not retaliatory against the staff member or the other staff member who reported to the official of the district or private school.

      (e) All complaints about behavior that may violate the policy shall be investigated.

      (f) The initiation of a complaint, and the participation in an investigation, in good faith about behavior that may violate the policy may not adversely affect the educational assignments or any terms or conditions of employment or of work or educational environment of the person who initiated the complaint or participated in the investigation.

      (g) The person who initiated the complaint shall be notified:

      (A) When the investigation is initiated and concluded; and

      (B) As to whether a violation of the policy was found to have occurred, to the extent allowable under state and federal student confidentiality laws.

      (5) A policy on sexual harassment of persons described in paragraph (b) of this subsection by staff members and students must include requirements that:

      (a) All staff members and students are subject to the policies.

      (b) The policies apply to persons who:

      (A) Are on or immediately adjacent to school grounds or school or district property;

      (B) Are at any school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program; or

      (C) Are off school or district property, if a student or staff member acts toward the person in a manner that creates a hostile environment for the person while at school or a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program.

      (c) Sexual harassment of persons described in paragraph (b) of this subsection includes:

      (A) A demand or request for sexual favors in exchange for benefits;

      (B) Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal or nonverbal and that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment; and

      (C) Assault when sexual contact occurs without consent.

      (d) When a person who may have been subjected to behavior in violation of the policy or, if applicable, the person’s parents file a complaint alleging behavior that may violate the policy, the person or person’s parents shall receive a written notification as described in subsection (6) of this section.

      (e) When a staff member becomes aware of behavior that may violate the policy, the staff member shall report to an official of the district or private school so that the official and the staff member may coordinate efforts to take any action necessary to ensure the person who was subjected to the behavior is protected and to promote a nonhostile environment, including:

      (A) Providing resources for support measures to the person who was subjected to the behavior; and

      (B) Taking any actions that are necessary to remove potential future impact on the person, but that are not retaliatory against the person or the staff member who reported to the official of the district or private school.

      (f) All complaints about behavior that may violate the policy shall be investigated.

      (g) The initiation of a complaint, and the participation in an investigation, in good faith about behavior that may violate the policy may not adversely affect the educational assignments or any terms or conditions of employment or of work or educational environment of the person who initiated the complaint or who participated in the investigation.

      (h) The person who initiated the complaint and, if applicable, the person’s parents shall be notified:

      (A) When the investigation is initiated and concluded; and

      (B) As to whether a violation of the policy was found to have occurred, to the extent allowable under state and federal student confidentiality laws.

      (6)(a) The written notification required under subsections (3)(c), (4)(c) and (5)(d) of this section must set forth:

      (A) The rights of the student, student’s parents, staff member, person or person’s parents who filed the complaint.

      (B) Information about the internal complaint processes available through the school or district that the student, student’s parents, staff member, person or person’s parents who filed the complaint may pursue, including the person designated for the school or district for receiving complaints.

      (C) Notice that civil and criminal remedies that are not provided by the school or district may be available to the student, student’s parents, staff member, person or person’s parents through the legal system and that those remedies may be subject to statutes of limitation.

      (D) Information about services available to the student or staff member through the school or district, including any counseling services, nursing services or peer advising.

      (E) Information about the privacy rights of the student, staff member or person and legally recognized exceptions to those rights for internal complaint processes and services available through the school or district.

      (F) Information about, and contact information for, state and community-based services and resources that are available to persons who have experienced sexual harassment.

      (G) Notice that students who report information about possible prohibited conduct and students who participate in an investigation under a policy adopted as provided by this section may not be disciplined for violations of the district’s drug and alcohol policies that occurred in connection with the reported prohibited conduct and that were discovered as a result of a prohibited conduct report or investigation unless the student gave another person alcohol or drugs without the person’s knowledge and with the intent of causing the person to become incapacitated and vulnerable to the prohibited conduct.

      (b) The written notification required by this subsection must:

      (A) Be written in plain language that is easy to understand;

      (B) Use print that is of a color, size and font that allow the notification to be easily read; and

      (C) Be made available to students, students’ parents, staff members and members of the public at each school office, at the district office and on the website of the school or district. [1997 c.272 §2; 2018 c.38 §1; 2019 c.442 §1; 2021 c.479 §4; 2023 c.242 §1]

 

      Note: See note under 342.700.

 

      342.708 ORS 342.700 and 342.704 not limitation on or prerequisite for other rights and remedies. Nothing in ORS 342.700 and 342.704 is intended to limit or operate as a prerequisite to pursuing any rights or remedies provided under other statutes or the common law. [1997 c.272 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 342.700.

 

      342.710 [1971 c.582 §1; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.720 [1971 c.582 §§2,7; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

STEROIDS AND PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUBSTANCES

 

      342.721 Definitions for ORS 342.723 and 342.726. As used in ORS 342.723 and 342.726:

      (1) “Anabolic steroid” includes any drug or hormonal substance chemically or pharmacologically related to testosterone, all prohormones, including dehydroepiandrosterone and all substances listed in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004. “Anabolic steroid” does not include estrogens, progestins, corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids.

      (2) “Performance-enhancing substance” means a manufactured product for oral ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation containing compounds that:

      (a) Contain a stimulant, amino acid, hormone precursor, herb or other botanical or any other substance other than an essential vitamin or mineral; and

      (b) Are intended to increase athletic performance, promote muscle growth, induce weight loss or increase an individual’s endurance or capacity for exercise.

      (3) “School district employee” means:

      (a) An administrator, teacher or other person employed by a school district;

      (b) A person who volunteers for a school district; and

      (c) A person who is performing services on behalf of a school district pursuant to a contract. [2007 c.395 §1]

 

      Note: 342.721, 342.723 and 342.726 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.723 Prohibitions on school district employees. A school district employee may not:

      (1) Knowingly sell, market or distribute an anabolic steroid or performance-enhancing substance to a kindergarten through grade 12 student with whom the employee has contact as part of the employee’s school district duties; or

      (2) Knowingly endorse or suggest the ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation of an anabolic steroid or performance-enhancing substance by a kindergarten through grade 12 student with whom the employee has contact as part of the employee’s school district duties. [2007 c.395 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 342.721.

 

      342.726 Curricula to include information on steroids and performance-enhancing substances; training of school employees. (1) School districts shall include information on anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing substances, including prevention strategies, strength-building alternatives and the understanding of health food labels, in health and physical education curricula for kindergarten through grade 12 students.

      (2) The Department of Education shall ensure that school districts are utilizing evidence-based programs such as the Oregon Health and Science University’s Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) and Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives (ATHENA), which have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing anabolic steroid and performance-enhancing substance use by high school athletes.

      (3) The department shall work with voluntary organizations that administer interscholastic activities to require school district employees who are coaches or athletic directors to receive training once every four years on identifying the components of anabolic steroid abuse and use and prevention strategies for the use of performance-enhancing substances. [2007 c.395 §3; 2008 c.39 §5; 2011 c.313 §22]

 

      Note: See note under 342.721.

 

      342.730 [1971 c.582 §3; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.740 [1971 c.582 §4; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.750 [1971 c.582 §5; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.760 [1971 c.582 §6; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.770 [1971 c.582 §8; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.780 [1971 c.582 §9; repealed by 1973 c.536 §39]

 

      342.782 [1987 c.896 §14; 1989 c.187 §7; repealed by 1993 c.45 §187]

 

      342.784 [1987 c.896 §15; renumbered 329.790 in 1993]

 

      342.786 [1987 c.896 §§16, 28; 1989 c.187 §8; 1993 c.45 §189; renumbered 329.795 in 1993]

 

      342.788 [1987 c.896 §17; 1989 c.187 §9; 1993 c.45 §190; renumbered 329.800 in 1993]

 

      342.790 [1987 c.896 §§18, 22; 1989 c.187 §10; 1993 c.45 §191; renumbered 329.805 in 1993]

 

      342.792 [1987 c.896 §19; 1993 c.45 §192; renumbered 329.810 in 1993]

 

      342.794 [1987 c.896 §20; 1989 c.187 §11; renumbered 329.815 in 1993]

 

      342.796 [1987 c.896 §21; 1991 c.67 §84; 1993 c.45 §193; renumbered 329.820 in 1993]

 

      342.798 [1987 c.896 §23; repealed by 1989 c.187 §13]

 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SCHOOLS FOR

THE 21ST CENTURY LAW

 

      342.805 Short title. ORS 342.805 to 342.937 shall be known as the Accountability for Schools for the 21st Century Law. [1965 c.608 §1; 1971 c.570 §2; 1977 c.881 §1; 1997 c.864 §26]

 

      342.815 Definitions for ORS 342.805 to 342.937. As used in ORS 342.805 to 342.937 unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) Notwithstanding ORS 342.120, “administrator” includes any teacher the majority of whose employed time is devoted to service as a supervisor, principal, vice principal or director of a department or the equivalent in a fair dismissal district but shall not include the superintendent, deputy superintendent or assistant superintendent of any such district or any substitute or temporary teacher employed by such a district.

      (2) “Board” means the board of directors of a fair dismissal school district.

      (3) “Contract teacher” means any teacher who has been regularly employed by a school district for a probationary period of three successive school years, and who has been retained for the next succeeding school year. The district school board may enter into agreements that provide for a shorter probationary period of not less than one year for teachers who have satisfied the three-year probationary period in another Oregon school district.

      (4) “District superintendent” means the superintendent of schools of a fair dismissal district or, in the absence of the superintendent, the person designated to fulfill the superintendent’s functions.

      (5) “Fair dismissal district” means any common or union high school district or education service district.

      (6) “Probationary teacher” means any teacher employed by a fair dismissal district who is not a contract teacher.

      (7) “Program of assistance for improvement” means a written plan for a contract teacher that with reasonable specificity:

      (a) Helps teachers adapt and improve to meet changing demands of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century in ORS chapter 329 if applicable.

      (b) Identifies specific deficiencies in the contract teacher’s conduct or performance.

      (c) Sets forth corrective steps the contract teacher may pursue to overcome or correct the deficiencies.

      (d) Establishes the assessment techniques by which the district will measure and determine whether the teacher has sufficiently corrected the deficiencies to meet district standards.

      (8) “Substitute teacher” means any teacher who is employed to take the place of a probationary or contract teacher who is temporarily absent.

      (9) Notwithstanding ORS 342.120, “teacher” means any person who holds a teaching license or registration as provided in ORS 342.125 or 342.144 or who is otherwise authorized to teach in the public schools of this state and who is employed half-time or more as an instructor or administrator.

      (10) “Temporary teacher” means a teacher employed to fill a position designated as temporary or experimental or to fill a vacancy which occurs after the opening of school because of unanticipated enrollment or because of the death, disability, retirement, resignation, contract nonextension or dismissal of a contract or probationary teacher. [1965 c.608 §2; 1971 c.570 §12; 1977 c.880 §1; 1977 c.881 §2; 1979 c.668 §1; 1981 c.299 §1; 1993 c.45 §194; 1997 c.864 §4; 1999 c.199 §11; 2001 c.653 §5]

 

      342.825 [1965 c.608 §3; 1973 c.298 §1; repealed by 1977 c.881 §8]

 

      342.835 Probationary teacher. (1) The district board of any fair dismissal district may discharge or remove any probationary teacher in the employ of the district at any time during a probationary period for any cause considered in good faith sufficient by the board. The probationary teacher shall be given a written copy of the reasons for the dismissal, and upon request shall be provided a hearing thereon by the board, at which time the probationary teacher shall have the opportunity to be heard either in person or by a representative of the teacher’s choice.

      (2) For any cause it may deem in good faith sufficient, the district board may refuse to renew the contract of any probationary teacher. However, the teacher shall be entitled to notice of the intended action by March 15, and upon request shall be provided a hearing before the district board. Upon request of the probationary teacher the board shall provide the probationary teacher a written copy of the reasons for the nonrenewal, which shall provide the basis for the hearing.

      (3) If an appeal is taken from any hearing, the appeal shall be to the circuit court for the county in which the headquarters of the school district is located and shall be limited to the following:

      (a) The procedures at the hearing;

      (b) Whether the written copy of reasons for dismissal required by this section was supplied; and

      (c) In the case of nonrenewal, whether notice of nonrenewal was timely given. [1965 c.608 §4; 1971 c.570 §4; 1975 c.727 §1; 1979 c.714 §2; 1981 c.323 §1; 2007 c.251 §1]

 

      342.840 Determination of length of service for probationary teacher. For purposes of determining length of service for a probationary teacher, a teacher employed for 135 consecutive days in any school year shall receive credit for a full year of employment. At least 30 consecutive days of employment in the same district in a successive year shall be sufficient to keep the service intact, and the teacher shall not lose credit for previous probationary years served. [1981 c.299 §3]

 

      Note: 342.840 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly and was added to 342.805 to 342.937 but was not added to or made a part of any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.845 Contract teacher; part-time contract teacher; effect of program transfer; administrator contracts. (1) A contract teacher shall not be subjected to the requirement of annual appointment nor shall the teacher be dismissed or employed on a part-time basis without the consent of the teacher except as provided in ORS 342.805 to 342.937.

      (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a part-time contract teacher attains contract status at not less than half-time but less than full-time and may be assigned within those limits by the school district. The assignment of a contract part-time teacher is not subject to the procedures specified in ORS 342.805 to 342.930. A contract part-time teacher who accepts a full-time assignment shall be considered a contract teacher for purposes of the assignment.

      (3) No teacher shall be deprived of employment status solely because the duties of employment have been assumed or acquired by another school district or education service district in a state reorganization of a regional special education program. Where such reorganization occurs, a teacher shall be transferred to the employment of the school district or education service district which assumed or acquired program responsibilities. The teacher shall be allowed to transfer accrued sick leave and experience status to the new district. However, the district to which the programs are transferred is obligated to hire displaced employees only to the extent that such would complement a cost effective staffing plan in the reorganized program.

      (4)(a) As used in this subsection:

      (A) “Juvenile detention education program” means the Juvenile Detention Education Program, as defined in ORS 326.695.

      (B) “School district” means a school district as defined in ORS 332.002, an education service district, a state-operated school or any legally constituted combination of such entities.

      (b) No teacher shall be deprived of employment status solely because the duties of employment have been assumed or acquired by another school district or education service district pursuant to a transfer of juvenile detention education program responsibilities to another school district or education service district. Where such reorganization occurs, a teacher shall be transferred to the employment of the school district or education service district that assumed or acquired program responsibilities. The teacher shall be allowed to transfer accrued sick leave, seniority and status as a contract teacher. However, the district to which the program is transferred is obligated to hire displaced teachers only to the extent that such would complement a cost-effective staffing plan in the reorganized program.

      (5)(a) An administrator shall serve a probationary period that does not exceed three years, unless the administrator and the school district mutually agree to a shorter time period. Following a probationary period, an administrator shall be employed by a school district pursuant to a three-year employment contract. An administrator may be dismissed or have a reduction in pay during the term of a contract for any reason set forth for dismissal of a teacher in ORS 342.865, or pursuant to ORS 342.934 (6). If an administrator is dismissed or has a reduction in pay during the term of the contract, the administrator may appeal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board in the same manner as provided for the appeal of a dismissal or a nonextension of a contract teacher. An administrator may not appeal the nonextension of a contract to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board.

      (b) The administrator may be assigned and reassigned at will during the term of the contract.

      (c) The district school board may elect not to extend the administrator’s contract for any cause the school board in good faith considers sufficient. Prior to March 15 of the second year of the administrator’s contract, the school board shall take one of the following actions:

      (A) Issue a new three-year contract effective July 1 following the March 15 of the second year of the administrator’s contract;

      (B) Provide, in writing, notice that the contract will not be renewed or extended; or

      (C) Extend the existing contract for a period of not more than one year.

      (6) If an administrator receives notice of contract nonextension prior to the expiration of the administrator’s contract, the administrator shall have the right to fill any vacant teaching position in the district for which the contract administrator is licensed and competent as defined in ORS 342.934, provided the administrator has three years’ teaching experience in Oregon that has been successful, in the judgment of the district superintendent. [1965 c.608 §§5,6; 1977 c.880 §2; 1983 c.554 §1; 1983 s.s. c.1 §2; 1993 c.480 §2; 1997 c.864 §8; 2001 c.681 §9; 2007 c.858 §37; 2021 c.445 §3]

 

      342.850 Teacher evaluation; personnel file content; rules. (1) The district superintendent of every school district, including superintendents of education service districts, shall cause to have made at least annually but with multiple observations an evaluation of performance for each probationary teacher employed by the district. The purpose of the evaluation is to aid the teacher in making continuing professional growth and to determine the teacher’s performance of the teaching responsibilities. Evaluations shall be based upon at least two observations and other relevant information developed by the district.

      (2)(a) The district school board shall develop an evaluation process in consultation with school administrators and with teachers. If the district’s teachers are represented by a local bargaining organization, the board shall consult with teachers belonging to and appointed by the local bargaining organization in the consultation required by this paragraph.

      (b) The district school board shall implement the evaluation process that includes:

      (A) The establishment of job descriptions and performance standards which include but are not limited to items included in the job description;

      (B) A preevaluation interview which includes but is not limited to the establishment of performance goals for the teacher, based on the job description and performance standards;

      (C) An evaluation based on written criteria which include the performance goals;

      (D) A post-evaluation interview in which:

      (i) The results of the evaluation are discussed with the teacher; and

      (ii) A written program of assistance for improvement is established, if one is needed to remedy any deficiency specified in ORS 342.865 (1)(a), (d), (g) or (h); and

      (E) The utilization of peer assistance whenever practicable and reasonable to aid teachers to better meet the needs of students. Peer assistance shall be voluntary and subject to the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement. No witness or document related to the peer assistance or the record of peer assistance shall be admissible in any proceeding before the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, or in a probationary teacher nonrenewal hearing before a school board under ORS 342.835, without the mutual consent of the district and the teacher provided with peer assistance.

      (c) Nothing in this subsection is intended to prohibit a district from consulting with any other individuals.

      (3) Except in those districts having an average daily membership, as defined in ORS 327.006, of fewer than 200 students, the person or persons making the evaluations must hold teaching licenses. The evaluation shall be signed by the school official who supervises the teacher and by the teacher. A copy of the evaluation shall be delivered to the teacher.

      (4) The evaluation reports shall be maintained in the personnel files of the district.

      (5) The evaluation report shall be placed in the teacher’s personnel file only after reasonable notice to the teacher.

      (6) A teacher may make a written statement relating to any evaluation, reprimand, charge, action or any matter placed in the teacher’s personnel file and such teacher’s statement shall be placed in the personnel file.

      (7) All charges resulting in disciplinary action shall be considered a permanent part of a teacher’s personnel file and shall not be removed for any reason. A teacher shall have the right to attach the teacher’s response, or other relevant documents, to any document included under this subsection.

      (8) The personnel file shall be open for inspection by the teacher, the teacher’s designees and the district school board and its designees. District school boards shall adopt rules governing access to personnel files, including rules specifying whom school officials may designate to inspect personnel files.

      (9) A program of assistance for improvement or evaluation procedure shall not be technically construed, and no alleged error or unfairness in a program of assistance for improvement shall cause the overturning of a dismissal, nonextension of contract, nonrenewal of contract or other disciplinary action unless the contract teacher suffered a substantial and prejudicial impairment in the teacher’s ability to comply with school district standards. [1971 c.570 §5; 1973 c.298 §3; 1973 c.458 §1; 1977 c.881 §3; 1979 c.598 §1; 1979 c.668 §2a; 1987 c.663 §1; 1989 c.491 §29; 1997 c.864 §9]

 

      342.855 [1965 c.608 §8; repealed by 1971 c.570 §15]

 

      342.856 Core teaching standards. (1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, shall adopt core teaching standards to improve student academic growth and learning by:

      (a) Assisting school districts in determining the effectiveness of teachers and administrators and in making human resource decisions; and

      (b) Improving the professional development and the classroom and administrative practices of teachers and administrators.

      (2) The core teaching standards adopted under this section must:

      (a) Take into consideration multiple measures of teacher effectiveness, based on widely accepted standards of teaching that encompass a range of appropriate teaching behaviors and that use multiple evaluation methods;

      (b) Take into consideration evidence of student academic growth and learning based on multiple measures of student progress, including performance data of students, schools and school districts;

      (c) Be research-based;

      (d) Be separately developed for teachers and administrators; and

      (e) Be able to be customized for each school district, which may include individualized weighting and application of standards.

      (3) The core teaching standards adopted under this section must attempt to:

      (a) Strengthen the knowledge, skills, disposition and classroom and administrative practices of teachers and administrators in public schools;

      (b) Refine the support, assistance and professional growth opportunities offered to a teacher or an administrator, based on the individual needs of the teacher or administrator and the needs of the students, the school and the school district of the teacher or administrator;

      (c) Allow each teacher or administrator to establish a set of classroom or administrative practices and student learning objectives that are based on the individual circumstances of the teacher or administrator, including the classroom or other assignments of the teacher or administrator;

      (d) Establish a formative growth process for each teacher and administrator that supports professional learning and collaboration with other teachers and administrators; and

      (e) Use evaluation methods and professional development, support and other activities that are based on curricular standards and that are targeted to the needs of each teacher and administrator.

      (4) A school district board must include the core teaching standards adopted under this section for all evaluations of teachers and administrators of the school district. The standards shall be customized based on the collaborative efforts of the teachers and administrators of the school district and the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees of the school district. [2011 c.729 §2; 2011 c.729 §4]

 

      Note: 342.856 was added to and made a part of 342.805 to 342.937 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.865 Grounds for dismissal or contract nonextension of contract teacher. (1) No contract teacher shall be dismissed or the teacher’s contract nonextended except for:

      (a) Inefficiency;

      (b) Immorality;

      (c) Insubordination;

      (d) Neglect of duty, including duties specified by written rule;

      (e) Physical or mental incapacity;

      (f) Conviction of a felony or of a crime according to the provisions of ORS 342.143;

      (g) Inadequate performance;

      (h) Failure to comply with such reasonable requirements as the board may prescribe to show normal improvement and evidence of professional training and growth; or

      (i) Any cause which constitutes grounds for the revocation of such contract teacher’s teaching license.

      (2) In determining whether the professional performance of a contract teacher is adequate, consideration shall be given to regular and special evaluation reports prepared in accordance with the policy of the employing school district and to any written standards of performance which shall have been adopted by the board.

      (3) Suspension or dismissal on the grounds contained in subsection (1)(e) of this section shall not disqualify the teacher involved for any of the disability benefits provided in ORS chapter 238, or any of the benefits provided in ORS 332.507.

      (4) Dismissal under subsection (1)(f) of this section shall remove the individual from any school district policies, collective bargaining provisions regarding dismissal procedures and appeals and the provisions of ORS 342.805 to 342.937. [1965 c.608 §§9,19; 1973 c.298 §4; 1977 c.860 §4; 1981 c.569 §1; 1995 c.446 §10; 1997 c.249 §104; 1997 c.864 §10; 1999 c.130 §8]

 

      342.875 Suspension; reinstatement. Whenever a district superintendent has reason to believe that cause exists for the dismissal of a contract teacher on any ground specified in ORS 342.865 (1)(b) to (f), and when the district superintendent is of the opinion that immediate suspension of the teacher is necessary for the best interest of education in the district, the district superintendent may suspend a contract teacher from the position without prior notice to the teacher. The teacher’s salary shall continue during the first five days of the suspension period. However, within five days after such suspension becomes effective, either procedure shall be commenced for the dismissal of the teacher pursuant to the provisions of ORS 342.805 to 342.937 or the teacher must be reinstated. [1965 c.608 §7; 1971 c.570 §6; 1977 c.881 §4; 1997 c.864 §11]

 

      342.885 [1965 c.608 §10; repealed by 1973 c.298 §9]

 

      342.895 Contract teachers; procedure for dismissal or contract nonextension; appeal. (1) Contract teachers shall be employed by a school district pursuant to two-year employment contracts.

      (2) Authority to dismiss or not extend a contract teacher is vested in the district school board subject to the provisions of the fair dismissal and contract extension procedures of ORS 342.805 to 342.937 and only after recommendation of the dismissal or nonextension of contract is given to the district school board by the superintendent.

      (3)(a) At least 20 days before recommending to a board the dismissal of the contract teacher, the district superintendent shall give written notice to the contract teacher by certified mail or delivered in person of the intention to make a recommendation to dismiss the teacher. The notice shall set forth the statutory grounds upon which the superintendent believes such dismissal is justified, and shall contain a plain and concise statement of the facts relied on to support the statutory grounds for dismissal. If the statutory grounds specified are those specified in ORS 342.865 (1)(a), (c), (d), (g) or (h), then evidence shall be limited to those allegations supported by statements in the personnel file of the teacher on the date of the notice to recommend dismissal, maintained as required in ORS 342.850. Notice shall also be sent to the district school board and to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board. A copy of ORS 342.805 to 342.937 shall also be sent to the contract teacher.

      (b) If, after the 20-day notice required by paragraph (a) of this subsection, the district school board takes action to approve the recommendation for dismissal from the superintendent, the dismissal takes effect on or after the date of the district school board’s action, as specified by the board. Notice of the board’s action shall be given to the contract teacher as soon as practicable by certified mail, return receipt requested or in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons in a civil action.

      (4)(a) Upon recommendation of the district superintendent, the district school board may extend a contract teacher’s employment for a new two-year term by providing written notice to the teacher no later than March 15 of the first year of the contract. Any new contract that extends the teacher’s employment for a new term shall replace any prior contracts.

      (b) If the district school board does not extend a contract teacher’s contract by March 15 of the first year of the contract, the district superintendent, or the superintendent’s designee, shall place the teacher on a program of assistance for improvement. The district superintendent or the superintendent’s designee may, in addition, place any other teacher on a program of assistance for improvement if in the judgment of the district superintendent or designee a program of assistance for improvement is needed.

      (c) Provided that the district school board has not extended the teacher’s contract for a new two-year term, the district board, upon recommendation of the superintendent, may elect by written notice to the teacher no later than March 15 of the second year of the teacher’s contract not to extend the teacher’s contract based on any ground specified in ORS 342.865. A contract teacher whose contract is not extended may appeal the nonextension to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board.

      (5) Notwithstanding ORS 243.650 to 243.809 or the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement entered into after August 15, 1997, no grievance or other claim of violation of applicable evaluation procedures, or fundamental unfairness in a program of assistance for improvement, shall be filed while a teacher is on a program of assistance. All statutes of limitation and grievance timelines shall be tolled while the subject claims are held in abeyance under this moratorium provision. Except as provided in this subsection, the moratorium and tolling period ends on the date the program of assistance for improvement is completed, not to exceed one year, after which any claims subject to this provision may be pursued as otherwise provided by law or contract. In the case of a contract teacher who does not receive contract extension by March 15 of the first year of the teacher’s contract, the moratorium period shall last until the teacher receives notice of contract extension or nonextension and no later than March 15 of the following school year, or until the teacher receives notice of dismissal. A contract teacher who is dismissed or receives notice of contract nonextension, and who appeals to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, may raise any claims subject to this moratorium provision before the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, which shall have jurisdiction to decide such claims. If the teacher does raise claims covered by this moratorium provision in an appeal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, such appeal shall be the teacher’s sole and exclusive remedy. If a contract teacher does not appeal a contract nonextension or dismissal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board but instead pursues contract grievances to arbitration alleging a violation of evaluation procedures or fundamental unfairness in a program of assistance for improvement, the arbitrator shall not have authority to award reinstatement of the contract teacher, but may award other remedies including but not limited to back pay, front pay, compensatory damages and such further relief as the arbitrator deems appropriate. A program of assistance for improvement shall not be technically construed, and no alleged error or unfairness in a program of assistance shall cause the overturning of a dismissal, nonextension of contract, nonrenewal of contract or other disciplinary actions unless the contract teacher suffered a substantial and prejudicial impairment in the teacher’s ability to comply with school district standards.

      (6) No teacher may be dismissed, laid off or caused to suffer nonextension or nonrenewal of a contract based upon the teacher’s salary placement or other compensation. [1965 c.608 §11; 1971 c.570 §7; 1973 c.298 §5; 1977 c.881 §5; 1979 c.668 §3; 1997 c.864 §12]

 

      342.905 Appeal procedure; arbitration as alternative. (1) If the district school board dismisses the teacher or does not extend the contract of the contract teacher, the teacher or the teacher’s representative may appeal that decision to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board established under ORS 342.930 by depositing by certified mail addressed to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and a copy to the superintendent of the school district:

      (a) In the case of dismissal, within 10 days, as provided in ORS 174.120, after receipt of notice of the district school board’s decision, notice of appeal with a brief statement giving the reasons for the appeal.

      (b) In the case of a contract nonextension, within 15 days, as provided in ORS 174.120, after receipt of the written notice of nonextension of a contract, notice of appeal with a brief statement giving the reasons for the appeal.

      (2)(a) As soon as practicable after the time the notice of appeal is received by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the superintendent shall appoint a panel of three members from the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board for the purpose of conducting a hearing. Insofar as practicable, the panel shall be selected from those members of the board serving in positions where the average daily membership as determined in ORS 342.930 most nearly coincides with that of the involved district. The panel shall consist of:

      (A) One member from the category representing district school board members;

      (B) One member from the category not affiliated with common or union high school districts; and

      (C) One member from the category representing teachers or administrators, as follows:

      (i) If the appeal is from a contract teacher in a teaching position, the panel shall include the teacher member of the board.

      (ii) If the contract teacher is in an administrative position, an administrative member shall sit in place of the teacher member.

      (b) The panel may not contain a member who is a resident of the district that is bringing the dismissal or nonextension.

      (c) The Department of Education, at the department’s expense, shall provide to the panel appropriate professional and other special assistance reasonably required to conduct a hearing. The panel shall be empowered, on behalf of the contract teacher, the district superintendent and the district school board, to subpoena and swear witnesses and to require witnesses to give testimony and produce relevant evidence at or prior to the hearing.

      (d) The executive secretary of the board may issue subpoenas on behalf of a panel. A person subpoenaed under this subsection may move to quash or modify the subpoena if it is oppressive or unreasonable. The motion must be made before the time specified in the subpoena for appearance or production of materials. The motion may be made to the executive secretary or the panel.

      (e) In a case pending before a panel that involves a teacher’s performance at an Oregon Youth Authority facility, the panel assigned to the case may submit to the Director of the Oregon Youth Authority written questions that the panel unanimously agrees are relevant to the case. The director shall respond to the panel’s questions in writing within 20 days of the director’s receipt of the questions from the panel. If a question by the panel seeks information that is not confidential or privileged under Oregon or federal law, the director shall provide the information requested by the panel. If a question by the panel seeks information that is confidential or privileged under Oregon or federal law, the director, in responding to the question, may not disclose the confidential or privileged information but shall instead explain that the information being sought is confidential or privileged. The procedure outlined in this paragraph is not in lieu of any other mechanism that may be available to the panel or parties for obtaining or presenting evidence.

      (3) The Attorney General shall assign an assistant, at no cost to either involved party, to advise the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, to be present at any hearing held by a panel, and to perform those tasks at the request of the board that would normally require legal training.

      (4) Within 10 days after receipt of the notice of an appeal of contract nonextension, the district shall serve upon the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board and the teacher a written statement of reason for the contract nonextension, which shall include:

      (a) A plain and concise statement of the facts relied on to support the statutory grounds for nonextension of the contract;

      (b) The statutory grounds upon which the district believes such contract nonextension is justified; and

      (c) A list of witnesses and documents upon which the district will rely at hearing.

      (5)(a) At least 10 days prior to the hearing, the teacher shall provide a list of witnesses and exhibits to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel and the school district.

      (b) The Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel shall hold a contested case hearing under ORS chapter 183 within 100 days of the receipt by the teacher of notice of dismissal or of the statement of reasons in the case of contract nonextension. No later than 140 days after the filing of an appeal, consistent with due process, the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel shall prepare and send a written decision to the contract teacher, the district superintendent, the district school board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The hearing shall be private unless the teacher requests a public hearing. At the hearing, the district and the contract teacher shall have the right to be present and be heard, to be represented by counsel, to present evidence and cross-examine adverse witnesses and to offer evidence that in the panel’s judgment is relevant to the dispute. The panel may take all reasonable steps to require the parties to conclude the hearing in an expeditious manner.

      (6) When the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel has completed its hearing, it shall prepare a written decision and send it to the contract teacher, the district superintendent, the district school board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel shall determine whether the facts relied upon to support the statutory grounds cited for dismissal or nonextension are true and substantiated. If the panel finds these facts true and substantiated, it shall then consider whether such facts, in light of all the circumstances and additional facts developed at the hearing that are relevant to the statutory standards in ORS 342.865 (1), are adequate to justify the statutory grounds cited. In making such determination, the panel shall consider all reasonable written rules, policies and standards of performance adopted by the school district board unless it finds that such rules, policies and standards have been so inconsistently applied as to amount to arbitrariness. The panel shall not reverse the dismissal or nonextension if it finds the facts relied upon are true and substantiated unless it determines, in light of all the evidence and for reasons stated with specificity in its findings and order, that the dismissal or nonextension was unreasonable, arbitrary or clearly an excessive remedy.

      (7)(a) Subject to subsection (6) of this section and paragraph (b) of this subsection, if the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel finds that the facts relied on to support the recommendation of the district superintendent are untrue or unsubstantiated, or if true and substantiated, are not adequate to justify the statutory grounds cited as reason for the dismissal or nonextension, and so notifies the contract teacher, the district superintendent, the district school board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the teacher shall be reinstated and the teacher shall receive such back pay as ordered by the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel for the period between the effective date of the dismissal or nonextension and the date of the order reinstating the teacher, or the date when the district actually reinstates the teacher, whichever is later. However, nothing in this section requires a school district to pay the teacher until the reinstatement occurs if the district has other legal grounds for not reinstating the teacher.

      (b) So long as the right of the district board under subsection (9) of this section and under ORS 183.480 and 183.500 to judicial review of the action of the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board remains unexpired, the district school board may withhold the reinstated teacher from performance of teaching duties, unless otherwise ordered by the court having jurisdiction of the appeal.

      (c) Subject to ORS 342.850 (9), if the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel determines that the procedures described in ORS 342.850 (2)(b)(A) to (D) have not been substantially complied with, the teacher may be reinstated with back pay as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (8) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, if the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel finds the facts relied on to support the recommendation of the district superintendent true and substantiated, and that those facts justify the statutory grounds cited as reason for the dismissal or nonextension and so notifies the contract teacher, the district superintendent, the district school board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction in writing, the dismissal or nonextension becomes final on the date of the notice.

      (9) An appeal from action of the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel shall be taken in the manner provided in ORS 183.480.

      (10)(a) If both the district board and the teacher or teacher’s representative agree, arbitration may be used as an alternative to a hearing before a Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel to determine if the teacher’s dismissal or nonextension of a contract is in compliance with the standards of ORS 342.805 to 342.910. If the teacher or teacher’s representative desires to use the arbitration procedure, the request for arbitration shall be included in the request for appeal that is filed with the Superintendent of Public Instruction under this section. Within 10 days of the time the superintendent of the district is notified of the teacher’s intent to appeal the dismissal or nonextension of a contract, the superintendent of the district shall notify the teacher or teacher’s representative and the Superintendent of Public Instruction as to whether the district has agreed to use the arbitration procedure. If the district determines not to use the arbitration procedure, the hearing procedure shall be continued under this section in the same manner as if no request for arbitration had been made. If the arbitration procedure is used, the teacher has no further rights to a hearing before a Fair Dismissal Appeals Board panel.

      (b) The procedures for selection of the arbitrator are those in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. If there is no provision or agreement or if the agreement does not contain a procedure for selection, the parties shall request a list of five arbitrators from the Employment Relations Board and shall choose an arbitrator by alternative striking of names until one name is left. The remaining person shall act as the arbitrator. The Employment Relations Board shall compile a roster of qualified arbitrators from which the lists are to be taken.

      (c) In determining whether the district board’s dismissal or nonextension of the teacher should be sustained, the arbitrator shall use the same reasons, rules and levels of evidence as are required for the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board under ORS 342.805 to 342.910. [1965 c.608 §12; 1971 c.570 §8; 1973 c.298 §6; 1973 c.612 §14; 1977 c.223 §1; 1977 c.400 §5; 1977 c.881 §6; 1979 c.668 §4; 1987 c.663 §2; 1993 c.236 §1; 1993 c.237 §1; 1993 c.778 §28; 1997 c.864 §13; 2001 c.449 §1; 2003 c.798 §4]

 

      342.910 Waiver of contract grievance claim if appeal of dismissal decision filed; waiver of certain rights and procedures. (1) Any teacher who files an appeal of a dismissal or nonextension of a contract decision with the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, upon motion of the school district, shall be required to waive any contract grievance claim regarding the same dismissal or nonextension of a contract as a condition to Fair Dismissal Appeals Board or subsequent judicial review.

      (2) A school district and an exclusive bargaining representative of teachers may agree to waive all or any part of the rights and procedures provided under ORS 342.805 to 342.937 if third party review of any dismissal or nonextension of a contract teacher is available. [1995 c.286 §16; 1997 c.864 §14]

 

      342.915 [1965 c.608 §13; 1971 c.570 §9; 1979 c.668 §5; repealed by 1997 c.864 §29]

 

      342.925 [1965 c.608 §14; repealed by 1971 c.570 §15]

 

      342.930 Fair Dismissal Appeals Board; rules. (1) The Fair Dismissal Appeals Board is created, consisting of 24 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate as provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565.

      (2)(a) The membership of the board shall be as follows:

      (A) Six members must be administrators in common or union high school districts;

      (B) Six members must be contract teachers;

      (C) Six members must be members of common or union high school district boards at the time of their appointment; and

      (D) Six members may not have any affiliation with any common or union high school district.

      (b) One member from each category described in paragraph (a)(A) and (B) of this subsection may be retired prior to appointment if the member had been previously employed as an administrator or a contract teacher in this state.

      (c) At least one member from each category described in paragraph (a) of this subsection must be resident of a school district so that each type of school district described below is represented:

      (A) A school district with an average daily membership, as defined in ORS 327.006, of less than 1,500 students;

      (B) A school district with an average daily membership, as defined in ORS 327.006, of 1,500 to 4,500 students; and

      (C) A school district with an average daily membership, as defined in ORS 327.006, of greater than 4,500 students.

      (3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the term of office of each member is four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on July 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

      (4) A member whose term has expired may continue to serve for the following limited purposes:

      (a) To conduct a hearing and prepare a written decision if the member was appointed to a panel in accordance with ORS 342.905 (2) before the expiration of the member’s term; or

      (b) To reconsider a decision if the member served on the panel originally hearing an appeal and a motion for reconsideration is filed prior to an appeal to the Court of Appeals.

      (5) The continued service of a member as provided in subsection (4) of this section shall not prevent a successor from taking office at the time prescribed in subsection (3) of this section.

      (6) Members shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495 for each day or part thereof during which they perform duties under ORS 342.805, 342.815, 342.835, 342.850, 342.875, 342.895 to 342.910 and this section, to be paid by the district school board from which the appeal is taken. However, any member of the board who would be entitled to receive a per diem except for being employed in full-time public service may receive the payment if service on the board is performed while the member is not under obligation to perform contractual teaching or administrative duties.

      (7) The board shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the board determines.

      (8) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

      (9) In accordance with applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183, the board may adopt rules necessary for the administration of this section and ORS 342.905 and 342.910. [1971 c.570 §10; 1973 c.298 §7; 1977 c.881 §7; 1983 c.777 §1; 1985 c.216 §1; 1997 c.864 §14a; 2001 c.449 §2; 2013 c.18 §1]

 

      342.934 Procedure for reduction of teacher staff due to funding or administrative decision. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Competence” means the ability of a teacher to teach a subject or grade level based on consideration of any of the following:

      (A) Teaching experience within the past five years related to the subject or grade level;

      (B) Educational attainments, which may not be based solely on being licensed to teach; or

      (C) The teacher’s willingness to undergo additional training or pursue additional education.

      (b) “Cultural or linguistic expertise” means the expertise of one teacher, as measured against the expertise of another teacher, based on consideration of any of the following factors:

      (A) A teacher’s linguistic ability in relation to an in-district language, as determined by a school district using a method of verification or attestation of fluency for all in-district languages;

      (B) A teacher’s completion of a teacher pathway program that is implemented by a teacher pathway partnership at the national, state, regional or local level and that has the primary focus of increasing the number of culturally or linguistically diverse teachers; or

      (C) A teacher’s current work assignment that requires the teacher to work at least 50 percent of the teacher’s work assignment time:

      (i) At a school where at least 25 percent of the student population consists of students from a historically underserved background, if the teacher is assigned to one school; or

      (ii) At programs, schools or school districts where at least 25 percent of the student population consists of students from a historically underserved background, if the teacher is assigned to multiple programs, schools or school districts.

      (c) “In-district language” means a heritage language or a language other than English that is spoken:

      (A) By five percent or more of the students enrolled at the school where a teacher is assigned or, if the teacher is not assigned to a school, of the students enrolled in the schools of the school district; or

      (B) At five percent or more of the homes of the students enrolled at the school where a teacher is assigned or, if the teacher is not assigned to a school, of the homes of the students enrolled in the schools of the school district.

      (d) “Merit” means the measurement of one teacher’s ability and effectiveness against the ability and effectiveness of another teacher.

      (e) “Qualified teacher with cultural or linguistic expertise” means a teacher who:

      (A) Has more cultural or linguistic expertise than a teacher with more or equal seniority; and

      (B) Holds proper licenses or other credentials to fill a remaining position.

      (f) “School district” includes an education service district.

      (g) “Student from a historically underserved background” includes a student who:

      (A) Is an English language learner;

      (B) Is from a racial or ethnic group that has historically experienced academic disparities, including racial or ethnic groups for which a statewide education plan has been developed under ORS 329.841, 329.843 or 329.845 for students who are black, African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Latino or Hispanic;

      (C) Is economically disadvantaged; or

      (D) Has a disability.

      (h) “Teacher” has the meaning given that term in ORS 342.120.

      (2) This section shall provide the procedure for making reductions in teacher staff positions resulting from a school district’s lack of funds to continue its educational program at its anticipated level or resulting from the school district’s elimination or adjustment of classes due to administrative decision. Nothing in this section is intended to interfere with the right of a fair dismissal district to discharge, remove or fail to renew the contract of a probationary teacher pursuant to ORS 342.835.

      (3) Before making any layoff decisions related to teacher staff, a school district shall make every reasonable effort to:

      (a) Transfer teachers of eliminated or adjusted classes to other teaching positions for which the teachers are licensed and qualified.

      (b) Combine teaching positions in a manner that allows teachers to remain qualified so long as the combined positions meet the curriculum needs of the school district and the competence consideration specified in subsection (5) of this section.

      (c) Maintain the proportion of teachers with cultural or linguistic expertise compared to teachers without cultural or linguistic expertise.

      (4)(a) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this subsection and as allowed by subsection (5) of this section, a school district shall prioritize seniority when determining which teachers will be retained when a school district reduces its teacher staff under this section.

      (b) A school district shall retain a qualified teacher with cultural or linguistic expertise who has less seniority if the release of the less senior teacher would result in a lesser proportion of teachers with cultural or linguistic expertise compared to teachers without cultural or linguistic expertise. When a qualified teacher with cultural or linguistic expertise is retained under this paragraph and the school district is determining which teachers to retain who do not have cultural or linguistic expertise, the school district shall prioritize:

      (A) Seniority; or

      (B) To the extent allowed under subsection (5) of this section, competence or merit.

      (c)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, any ties in calculations of seniority shall be broken by drawing lots.

      (B) If the release of a qualified teacher with cultural or linguistic expertise who has equal seniority would result in a lesser proportion of teachers with cultural or linguistic expertise compared to teachers without cultural or linguistic expertise, the school district shall retain the teacher with cultural or linguistic expertise.

      (d) For the purposes of this subsection, seniority shall be calculated from the first day of actual service as teachers with the school district, inclusive of approved leaves of absence.

      (e) Nothing in this subsection prohibits a school district from requiring that teachers to be retained hold proper licenses or other credentialing at the time of layoff to fill remaining positions or prohibits a school district from retaining a teacher as allowed under subsection (5) of this section.

      (5) A school district may retain a teacher with less seniority than a teacher being released under this section if the school district determines that the teacher being retained has more competence or merit than the teacher with more seniority who is being released.

      (6)(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, an administrator shall retain status and seniority as a contract teacher and voluntarily may return to teaching in a reduction in staff situation.

      (b) An administrator who was never employed as a teacher in the school district shall not be eligible to become a nonadministrative teacher in the school district if the effect is to displace a nonadministrative contract teacher.

      (7) In consultation with its employees or, for those employees in a recognized or certified collective bargaining unit, with the exclusive bargaining representative of that unit, each school district shall establish a procedure for recalling teachers to employment in the school district who have been released because of a prospective or actual reduction in staff. The procedure shall define the criteria for recall and the teacher shall have the right of recall for 27 months after the last date of release by the school district unless waived as provided in the procedure by rejection of a specific position. A contract teacher who is recalled shall retain the status obtained before the release. A probationary teacher who is recalled shall have years of teaching for the school district counted as if the employment had been continuous for purposes of obtaining contract teacher status.

      (8) An appeal from a decision on reduction in staff or recall under this section shall be by arbitration under the rules of the Employment Relations Board or by a procedure mutually agreed upon by the employee representatives and the employer. The results of the procedure shall be final and binding on the parties. Appeals from multiple reductions may be considered in a single arbitration. The arbitrator is authorized to reverse the staff reduction decision or the recall decision made by the school district only if the school district:

      (a) Exceeded its jurisdiction;

      (b) Failed to follow the procedure applicable to the matter before it;

      (c) Made a finding or order not supported by substantial evidence in the whole record; or

      (d) Improperly construed the applicable law.

      (9)(a) A school district shall not agree in any collective bargaining agreement to waive the right to consider competence in making decisions about the order of reduction in staff or recall of staff. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a school district and the exclusive bargaining representative from agreeing to alternative criteria for competence determinations under this subsection so long as the criteria ensure that all retained teachers are qualified for the positions they fill.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “qualified” means the measurement of the teacher’s ability to teach the particular grade level or subject matter in which the teacher is placed after the reduction in force. Qualifications shall be measured by more than seniority and licensure, but may include other criteria that reasonably measure the teacher’s fitness to teach the relevant grade or subject level. Determinations of competence or qualifications under this subsection may take into account requirements for any special needs students. [1981 c.569 §3; 1983 s.s. c.1 §1; 1989 c.282 §1; 1993 c.480 §1; 1997 c.864 §15; 2021 c.445 §1]

 

      342.935 [1965 c.608 §15; repealed by 1971 c.570 §15; see 342.960]

 

      342.937 Reimbursement for teacher dismissal costs. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may reimburse any school districts for all or part of the costs reasonably related to a dismissal of a contract teacher or nonextension of a contract teacher’s contract, or appeal therefrom under ORS 342.805 to 342.937, provided that the school district is the ultimate prevailing party. The superintendent may consider the school district’s ability to pay the costs related to the dismissal or nonextension of the contract teacher, and seek such funds from the Emergency Board as may be in the superintendent’s judgment necessary to carry out this provision. [1997 c.864 §6]

 

EDUCATOR ADVANCEMENT COUNCIL

 

      342.940 Educator Advancement Council; members; duties; rules. (1) As used in this section and ORS 342.943, “educator” means a teacher, administrator or other school professional who is licensed, registered or certified by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

      (2) The Educator Advancement Council shall be established and function under an intergovernmental agreement, pursuant to ORS 190.003 to 190.130, between state agencies and one or more school districts and education service districts. The purposes of the council are to provide resources related to educator professional learning and to provide other educator supports.

      (3) The intergovernmental agreement establishing the council shall outline the governance framework and the administrative details necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of the duties of the council.

      (4)(a) The council shall consist of:

      (A) Members who are representatives of the parties to the intergovernmental agreement establishing the council.

      (B) No more than 10 members who are practicing educators, classified staff in a public school or for an education service district, early learning providers and professionals and school district board members.

      (C) No more than 10 members who are representatives of educator preparation providers, education-focused nonprofit organizations, education-focused philanthropic organizations, professional education associations, community-based education organizations that represent families and students, post-secondary institutions of education and federally recognized Indian tribes of this state.

      (b) Subject to any limits designated as provided by the intergovernmental agreement establishing the council, the majority of the members of the council identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection may propose additional members of the council. The inclusion of additional members on the council shall be subject to the procedures established by the council under the intergovernmental agreement.

      (5) The council shall:

      (a) Establish a system of educator networks, as described in ORS 342.943, by which every educator in this state has access to professional learning opportunities;

      (b) Administer the beginning teacher and administrator mentorship program under ORS 329.788 to 329.820;

      (c) Coordinate the distribution of moneys to educator networks from the Educator Advancement Fund based on the needs of the educators identified by the networks;

      (d) Connect educator networks and facilitate communications within and among the networks to improve teaching and learning; and

      (e) Continuously assess the needs of educators in this state and coordinate priorities based on the moneys available for distribution from the Educator Advancement Fund.

      (6) The Department of Education shall provide support to the strategic direction of the council by:

      (a) Conducting and coordinating research to monitor:

      (A) Teaching and learning conditions;

      (B) Educator workforce supply and demand; and

      (C) Common outcomes and measures anticipated to promote improvement in teaching and learning.

      (b) Assisting the council in coordinating and connecting educator networks, supporting professional learning priorities, enabling access to professional learning and supports, leveraging funding sources and managing innovation funds.

      (c) Recommending statutory and agency rule changes needed to support the purposes of the council.

      (d) Supporting programs that help to achieve the purposes of the Educators Equity Act.

      (e) Supporting a statewide plan for increasing:

      (A) The supply of culturally diverse teacher candidates; and

      (B) The successful recruitment of effective educators to work in high-need schools and in practice areas with a shortage of educators.

      (f) Identifying high-leverage educator practices to be developed by educators throughout their careers.

      (g) Providing accountability of the council by ensuring that the council:

      (A) Gives preference, when making recommendations about funding distributions, to entities that have demonstrated success in improving student indicators.

      (B) Considers the delivery of services for the benefit of all regions of this state when establishing the system of educator networks.

      (C) Works toward improving student progress indicators identified by the Department of Education or set forth in ORS 350.014.

      (D) Includes and connects education providers and leaders from prekindergarten through post-secondary education.

      (h) Providing staff support for the administrative functions of the council.

      (i) Developing a system that allows for the statewide dissemination of emerging practices and evidence-based models.

      (j) Providing technical assistance to the council, including online systems for sharing professional learning resources and supporting educator networks.

      (k) Administering the distribution of grant and contract funds for programs described in this section.

      (L) Providing administrative support to the educator networks, including:

      (A) Making recommendations to the council about the selection of the sponsors of educator networks;

      (B) Providing technical assistance to educator networks; and

      (C) Entering into grant agreements or contracts for the distribution of funds to educator networks.

      (7)(a) The State Board of Education and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may adopt any rules necessary at the request of the council to support the council or to perform any duties assigned to the board or commission under this section.

      (b) The council may adopt rules pursuant to ORS chapter 183 for the purposes of ORS 329.788 to 329.820 and 342.943.

      (8) The council shall be considered a board for purposes of ORS chapter 180. [2017 c.639 §1; 2017 c.639 §§20,25; 2021 c.518 §14; 2023 c.440 §3; 2023 c.592 §38; 2023 c.601 §1]

 

      Note: 342.940 and 342.943 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.943 System of educator networks; eligibility; duties. (1) The Educator Advancement Council shall establish a system of educator networks, including prescribing characteristics of educator networks and selecting the entities to serve as educator networks.

      (2) An entity is eligible to sponsor an educator network if the entity:

      (a) Is a school district, an education service district, a nonprofit organization, a post-secondary institution of education, a federally recognized tribe of this state or a consortium that is any combination of the entities described in this paragraph;

      (b) Has demonstrated the ability to oversee the use of funds in support of professional development, mentoring or other direct supports to educators;

      (c) Has demonstrated a commitment to equity-driven policies and practices;

      (d) Has the capacity to coordinate services across the region served by the educator network;

      (e) Has demonstrated experience in developing and managing partnerships; and

      (f) Has, or agrees to establish, a coordinating body for the educator network that includes:

      (A) A majority of educators who are based in schools from different grades and content areas and who are reflective of the student demographics of the region served by the educator network; and

      (B) Members representing state agencies, school districts, education service districts, early learning providers and professionals, school board members, educator preparation providers, education-focused nonprofit organizations, education-focused philanthropic organizations, professional education associations, community-based education organizations that represent families and students, post-secondary institutions of education and federally recognized tribes of this state.

      (3) Each educator network shall:

      (a) Establish professional educator priorities that reflect local needs for each school and school district served by the educator network based on professional learning plans submitted by educators;

      (b) Ensure equitable access by educators to resources that are distributed through the council;

      (c) Pursue state and other funds and resources on behalf of the members of the educator network and the educators served by the educator network; and

      (d) Coordinate communications and accountability for resources distributed through the council to educators served by the educator network.

      (4) When establishing professional educator priorities that reflect local needs, each educator network shall strive to:

      (a) Enhance a culture of leadership and collaborative responsibility that elevates and advances the teaching profession among professionals employed by early learning services, schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12, education service districts, educator preparation providers, nonprofit organizations, professional associations and community-based organizations.

      (b) Enhance access for educators to high-quality professional learning that:

      (A) Supports culturally responsive practices;

      (B) Is guided by the needs of educators served by the educator network;

      (C) Maximizes collaborative leadership among teachers and administrators; and

      (D) Reflects professional learning standards.

      (c) Strengthen and enhance existing evidence-based practices that improve student achievement and that reflect changing students’ needs and demographics.

      (d) Improve the recruitment, preparation, induction and support of educators at each stage of the educators’ careers.

      (e) Enhance leadership and career advancement opportunities for teachers and increase the perspectives of teachers in identifying priorities for funding educator professional learning and educator supports.

      (5) Any school district, education service district or post-secondary institution of education that is a member of an educator network may serve as the fiscal agent for the educator network. [2017 c.639 §2]

 

      Note: See note under 342.940.

 

      342.945 [1965 c.608 §16; repealed by 1971 c.570 §15]

 

      342.950 [2013 c.661 §§1,2; 2015 c.27 §§36,37; 2015 c.188 §§13,14; 2015 c.245 §§27,28; 2015 c.487 §§1,2; 2015 c.604 §§17,18; 2015 c.647 §§29,30; 2015 c.774 §§25,57; 2015 c.790 §§8b,8c; 2016 c.8 §§1,2; 2017 c.639 §§4,10; 2018 c.72 §§15,16; repealed by 2017 c.639 §19]

 

      342.953 Educator Advancement Fund. (1) The Educator Advancement Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Educator Advancement Fund shall be credited to the Educator Advancement Fund.

      (2) Moneys in the Educator Advancement Fund are continuously appropriated to the Department of Education for the Educator Advancement Council created by ORS 342.940.

      (3) The Department of Education, on behalf of the State of Oregon, may solicit and accept gifts, grants or donations from public and private sources for the Educator Advancement Council. Moneys received under this subsection shall be deposited into the Educator Advancement Fund. [2013 c.577 §11; 2017 c.639 §§5,21]

 

      Note: 342.953 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.955 [1965 c.608 §17; 1973 c.298 §8; 1979 c.861 §8; repealed by 1987 c.898 §28]

 

      342.960 [1971 c.743 §359; see 342.935; repealed by 1973 c.298 §9]

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

      342.961 Internal investigations of employee misconduct or wrongdoing. Notwithstanding any other law, a district school board may conduct internal investigations of alleged employee misconduct or wrongdoing at any time. [1997 c.864 §17]

 

      Note: 342.961 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      342.965 Interchange of teachers. A district school board may provide for the interchange of teachers with school districts of other states or countries. Teachers exchanged shall teach one year, the year’s service outside the state being credited to them as service in the district in which they are regularly employed when the interchange is made. The salary of the Oregon teacher shall be paid by the Oregon school district and the salaries of the teachers from outside of Oregon shall be paid by the school districts in their respective states or countries. [Formerly 342.510]

 

      342.970 [Formerly 342.520; repealed by 1993 c.45 §195]

 

      342.971 Educator Preparation Improvement Fund. (1) There is created the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund shall be credited to the fund.

      (2) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission may accept from any source any grant, donation or gift of money or other valuable thing made to the commission for purposes of the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund.

      (3) Moneys credited to the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund are continuously appropriated to the commission for the purposes set forth in subsection (4) of this section. The commission may draw checks or orders upon the State Treasurer in making disbursements from the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund for the purposes set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

      (4) The purpose of the Educator Preparation Improvement Fund is to encourage approved educator preparation programs and school district partnerships that:

      (a) Respond to changes in education of students in preprimary programs and grades 1 through 12;

      (b) Encourage collaboration around delivery models that provide effective professional preparation;

      (c) Recognize the needs of the education workforce in this state, including but not limited to recruiting underrepresented persons, teachers and administrators to work in high needs areas such as special education, mathematics, science and teaching English to speakers of other languages;

      (d) Encourage collaborative initiatives that improve student success and postsecondary access and achievement; and

      (e) Respond to the need for national accreditation of approved educator preparation programs in this state. [2011 c.609 §2; 2015 c.245 §36; 2015 c.647 §31]

 

      342.974 Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year Program; rules. (1) The Department of Education shall create an Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year Program.

      (2) Each year, in collaboration with the Oregon State Lottery Commission, the Department of Education shall honor and recognize at least one outstanding education support professional that serves students in any grade from prekindergarten through grade 12.

      (3) To qualify for an award, a candidate or another person on behalf of a candidate shall demonstrate that the candidate:

      (a) Excels in the candidate’s field and guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence.

      (b) Collaborates with colleagues, students and families to create a school culture of respect and success.

      (c) Demonstrates leadership and innovation.

      (d) Communicates in an engaging and articulate way.

      (4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules specifying:

      (a) The application process;

      (b) The selection criteria that will be used in awarding the Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year award; and

      (c) Any duties of the recipient after receiving the award. [2019 c.211 §1]

 

      Note: 342.974 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 195, Oregon Laws 2019, provide:

      Sec. 1. Evaluation to increase number of educators in Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region. (1) As used in this section, “Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region” has the meaning given that term in ORS 284.771.

      (2) For the purpose of increasing the number of educators in the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region who are available to teach courses in math and science in grades 9 through 12 or courses related to a career and technical education program, the following evaluations shall be made:

      (a) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall evaluate whether licensing requirements may be waived or modified to more closely match the licensing requirements of Idaho and to make educator positions in the region more competitive with similar educator positions in Idaho.

      (b) The commission and the Department of Education shall jointly evaluate methods for promoting career advancement and mentorship opportunities for new teachers at schools in the region.

      (c) The Department of Early Learning and Care shall evaluate whether a streamlined process may be implemented to improve the availability of in-home and family-provided child care.

      (3) The commission, Department of Education and Department of Early Learning and Care shall report the results of the evaluations made as described in subsection (2) of this section in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2024. [2019 c.195 §1; 2023 c.554 §50]

      Sec. 2. Repeal. Section 1 of this 2019 Act is repealed on December 31, 2024. [2019 c.195 §2]

 

      342.975 [Formerly 342.560; 1973 c.270 §16; 1977 c.783 §2; repealed by 1993 c.45 §196]

 

      342.980 [Formerly 342.575; 1967 c.67 §15; 1973 c.270 §17; repealed by 1993 c.45 §196]

 

      342.982 [1977 c.635 §7; renumbered 342.495]

 

      342.985 [1991 c.710 §3; renumbered 342.156 in 2009]

 

      342.990 [Repealed by 1965 c.100 §456]

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