School funding

An annual report from a prominent higher education association ranks Oregon 44th in the nation for public higher education funding.

Education agencies, institutions and nonprofits in Oregon are slated to a portion of more than $21.3 billion from Congress for the current year.

California schools got $23.4 billion in federal pandemic relief money. Low-income schools that got the most may be hardest hit when the funds expire this year.

The state’s approach to funding K-12 education is not easy to comprehend, and the Portland Public Schools strike has shoved the thorny issue into the political spotlight.

Small, rural districts often struggle to pass local bond measures to pay for school construction and repairs. In some cases, leaking roofs, dry rot and broken air conditioners haven’t been fixed in years.

The Medford School District has been negotiating with teachers and staff over a new contract for seven months. The two sides continue to disagree on basic parts of the contract, including pay.

An early literacy bill that initially had widespread support is now facing pushback from education advocates who say they disagree with how the bill would be funded.

School funding, educator pay increases and early reading investments are on pause with Senate Republicans in week three of their walkout.

Officials from Oregon’s seven public universities say they need more than $1 billion over the next two years to maintain services amid inflation and to avoid deep cuts and layoffs.

Oregon school districts and community organizations are hearing from the head of the state education department, that they shouldn’t plan on money from the state for summer programs this year.

Enrollment is down at the University of California and the Cal State, which has frustrated lawmakers who gave both systems more money to increase their number of students.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is proposing a budget that represents an historic high in school funding during a time of historic need. But some K-12 and higher education experts argue it isn’t enough.