Chapter 1023 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

AN ACT

HB 3114

Relating to required courses of instruction; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 329.007 and 336.057.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 336.057 is amended to read:

336.057. [(1)] In all public [and private] schools courses of instruction shall be given in the Constitution of the United States and in the history of the United States [shall be given]. These courses shall:

[(2)] (1) [The courses prescribed under subsection (1) of this section shall] Begin not later than the opening of the eighth grade and shall continue in grades 9 through 12.

[(3)] (2) [Such courses shall also] Be required in all state institutions of higher education, except the Oregon Health Sciences University, and in all state and local institutions [which] that provide education for patients or inmates to an extent to be determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

SECTION 2. Section 3 of this 1999 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 329.

SECTION 3. (1) The Department of Education shall develop academic content standards for Oregon Studies by the 2001-2002 school year. The department shall consult with the Oregon Historical Society in the development of the academic content standards in Oregon Studies and in the preparation of materials to support teacher training and classroom instruction in Oregon Studies. The materials shall include a balanced presentation of the relevant contributions to society by men and women of African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-American and other racial groups in Oregon.

(2) The Oregon Historical Society may use any public funds allocated to the Oregon Historical Society for the purposes of this section. In addition, the Oregon Historical Society may raise additional funds from private sources for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 4. ORS 329.007 is amended to read:

329.007. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) "Academic content standards" or "academic standards" means expectations of student knowledge and skills in identified content areas adopted by the State Board of Education under ORS 329.045.

(2) "Administrator" includes all persons whose duties require an administrative license.

(3) "Board" or "state board" means the State Board of Education.

(4) "21st Century Schools Council" means a council established pursuant to ORS 329.704.

(5) "Content areas" includes mathematics, science, history, geography, economics, civics, English, second languages and the arts. English includes, but is not limited to, reading and writing. The arts includes, but is not limited to, literary arts, performing arts and visual arts. History, geography, economics and civics include, but are not limited to, Oregon Studies.

(6) "Department" means the Department of Education.

(7) "District planning committee" means a committee composed of teachers, administrators and public members established for the purposes of ORS 329.537 to 329.605.

(8) "Oregon Studies" means history, geography, economics and civics specific to the State of Oregon. Oregon Studies instruction in Oregon government shall include municipal, county, tribal and state government, as well as the electoral and legislative processes.

[(8)] (9) "Parents" means parents or guardians of students who are covered by this chapter.

[(9)] (10) "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.

[(10)] (11) "School Improvement and Professional Development program" means a formal plan submitted by a school district and approved by the Department of Education according to criteria specified in ORS 329.675 to 329.745 and 329.790 to 329.820.

[(11)] (12) "Second languages" means any foreign language or American Sign Language.

[(12)] (13) "Teacher" means any licensed employee of a school district who has direct responsibility for instruction, coordination of educational programs or supervision of students and who is compensated for such services from public funds. "Teacher" does not include a school nurse, as defined in ORS 342.455, or a person whose duties require an administrative license.

[(13)] (14) "Work-related learning experiences" means opportunities in which all students may participate in high quality programs that provide industry related and subject matter related learning experiences that prepare students for further education, future employment and lifelong learning.

Approved by the Governor August 20, 1999

Filed in the office of the Secretary of State August 23, 1999

Effective date October 23, 1999

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