PORTLAND, Ore. — A bill in Oregon’s House of Representatives could provide a big boost to students if passed, but some proponents are unsure if the legislation will actually pass in this year's short legislative session.
The bill, House Bill 4082, would grant $50 million in funding for summer learning programs K-12, as well as provide enrichment in subjects like math, science and reading.
"It's crucial," Melissa Hicks, the director of impact at Self-Enhancement, Inc. said.
Self-Enhancement, Inc. — or SEI — serves hundreds of kids in Portland’s Albina neighborhood. Part of their programming is catered toward summer learning.
“We need summer learning; we need after-school learning,” Hicks said. “And it does need to be academics and reading.”
In a statement, Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield said the legislature needs to ensure students have the resources they need to learn. As part of the budget process, legislators are having conversations about summer learning programs.
However, Rayfield added that the legislature's top priorities are on addressing housing and homelessness.
There are now less than two weeks left in Oregon’s 2024 legislative session.
“Without this bill, we wouldn’t be able to have enhanced programming,” said Steve Padilla, the Reynolds School District's director of communications.
In Reynolds, more than a thousand students have taken advantage of summer learning programs, Padilla said. Though with federal COVID relief funding running out soon, Padilla said the district wouldn’t be able to offer the same level of services, unless the state intervenes.
“We hope those in power see the impact that this will have,” Padilla said.
Sponsors of the bill remain optimistic that it will be passed, including Rep. Susan McLain, D-Hillsboro.
“We are at the right place at the right time in the session,” said McLain, a chief sponsor of the bill.
It’s imperative that students receive resources needed to succeed, McLain said.
This comes after a nationwide study of 30 states found Oregon is the only state where students saw a continued decrease in math and science scores from 2022 to 2023.
Education experts said the best way for Oregon students to get back on track is through increased tutoring and summer programs.
“We need this bill to pass,” Hicks said.