Equitable Change
Foundations for a Better Oregon (FBO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public education and advancing social equity across Oregon. By working alongside policymakers, community leaders, educators, and philanthropists, FBO has focused on building solutions that can create lasting, systemic change in the state’s public education system. With a clear vision of ensuring every child in Oregon has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, FBO pushes for bold initiatives, strategic investments, and community-driven collaboration. Their efforts emphasize inclusivity, accountability, and evidence-based practices in education.
As someone who has had the privilege of serving on the Distinguished Educator Council for FBO, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the organization’s commitment to collaboration and transparency. During my time on the council, I learned how essential it is to work with communities rather than for them. It’s a mindset that fosters genuine partnership and empowers communities to shape the solutions that best meet their needs. This foundational approach is reflected in FBO’s ongoing work, where the voices of those directly impacted by education policies are front and center in decision-making.
In the midst of so much uncertainty and division in the world today, especially with the turbulent political climate in America under the current presidential administration, it’s crucial to highlight the positive change that is happening in our communities. While it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the headlines, many of which can feel frightening and confusing, it’s important to remember that there are people and organizations, like FBO, who are doing the hard work of driving progress. They are tackling tough issues head-on and working toward solutions that can make real, lasting impacts on children and families in Oregon. Amidst the chaos, these efforts offer hope and a path forward.
In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, FBO convened a diverse group of stakeholders at their Legislative Summit to chart the next steps for educational progress in the state. This year’s summit was particularly crucial, as it aimed to lay the foundation for how Oregon can continue to build on past successes like the Student Success Act, while addressing persistent challenges in public education.
Spotlighting Key Issues at the 2025 Legislative Summit
At the heart of the 2025 Legislative Summit was a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and accountability in shaping Oregon’s education policies. Topics covered included:
Tribal Consultation and Collaboration: FBO’s summit kicked off with a focus on tribal consultation, an essential process under Oregon law that ensures Native tribes are actively consulted on decisions impacting their communities. Speakers emphasized the importance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives and working together for the collective good of all students.
K-12 Accountability: Ensuring Student Success: A significant discussion centered around what accountability in education really means. Leaders explored how the state can best ensure that funding and resources translate into measurable outcomes for students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. They also examined how to balance accountability with the unique challenges facing districts across the state.
Strategies for Accelerating Student Progress: Breakout sessions addressed three key strategies for improving educational outcomes: expanding summer and after-school programs, strengthening early literacy, and enhancing student success plans. These focused on tackling academic disparities and ensuring all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Collaborative Leadership for Sustainable Change: Throughout the summit, a recurring theme was the importance of unity without uniformity. Leaders acknowledged that while the challenges facing Oregon’s education system are complex, they are also deeply shared. The summit served as a platform for fostering collaboration across sectors, from schools to state agencies, community organizations, and businesses.
FBO, along with so many other non-profit agencies, remain critical drivers of positive change for the state’s public education system. The summit underscored that with strong collaboration and a commitment to accountability, Oregon has the potential to ensure that every child, no matter their background or circumstances, can succeed.
As we reflect on the summit’s themes, focus, collaboration, and accountability, it’s clear that one of the most powerful ways to sustain progress is through deep, ongoing collaboration. It’s not just about top-down solutions or quick fixes. It’s about engaging with people on the ground who understand the challenges and opportunities in their own communities. And that includes amplifying the voices of teachers, who are often the first to witness the effects of policy decisions and the ones who work closest with our students every day.
Teachers bring invaluable insights into how policies and practices play out in real classrooms. They understand the nuanced needs of their students, the resources that are truly needed, and the challenges that can sometimes be overlooked in the legislative process. As we move forward, it’s critical that we continue to actively include teachers in these conversations, not just as recipients of policies, but as vital contributors to the discussions shaping Oregon’s education system.
The collaborative spirit we saw at the summit, where leaders were willing to listen, share, and engage in meaningful dialogue, must continue throughout this process. Whether through teacher advisory councils, community listening sessions, or district-level forums, it’s important that we create spaces for teachers to share their expertise and ideas. Only then can we ensure that the solutions we implement truly meet the needs of all students.
By working together with teachers, communities, and other key stakeholders, we can build an education system that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of those it serves. It’s not about creating policies for teachers or students—it’s about creating them with teachers and students. This commitment to collaboration and inclusion will be the cornerstone of a stronger, more effective education system in Oregon.
