The Department of Education of the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
is responsible for implementing the state's public education policies, including academic standards and testing, credentials, and other matters not reserved to the
local districts and boards. The department is overseen by the Governor, acting as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Agencies of the department include the
Chief Education Office (formerly the Oregon Education Investment Board), the
Early Learning Division, the
Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the
State Board of Education, and the
Youth Development Division. The key roles of the agency include setting test standards and graduation requirements for statewide uniformity.
The department serves 197 elementary and secondary school districts and 19
education service districts across the state, which in turn serve over 500,000 students.
History
From 1872 to 2012, the Oregon Department of Education was led by an elected
constitutional officer, titled the
Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, was a constitutional officeOR Const. art. VIII. within the executive branch of the Oregon state government from 1872 to 2012, when it was elim ...
. However, in 2012, the
Oregon legislature
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the ...
eliminated the elected office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and consolidated its functions with the office of
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
.
Susan Castillo
Susan Castillo (born August 14, 1951) is a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon who most recently served as Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2003 to 2012. A Democrat, she also served from 1997 to 2003 in the Oregon State Senate. B ...
was the final elected Superintendent of Public Instruction.
[
]
Under the current system, the Governor appoints a Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction to act as day-to-day administrator of the department.
The Deputy Superintendent is a professional position, as opposed to an elected position. They carry out the state policies set by the
State Board of Education and by the
Oregon State Legislature
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the H ...
.
See also
*
Oregon Performance Reporting Information System
The Performance Reporting and Information System (PRISM) is a data system which collects and disseminates performance measurement data for individuals receiving workforce services from the U.S. state of Oregon government. To help inform decision ...
References
External links
*
Education, Oregon Department of
Oregon department
State departments of education of the United States
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