ODE Director Charlene Williams: "Accountability matters"
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
The wide-open spaces of Malheur County impressed upon Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams some of the differences between Oregon's rural and urban schools, shaping her agency leadership. As she approaches her second year as director, she wants to change the narrative about public Oregon education while taking into account the state's varied needs.
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Aug. 16, 2023 | Protecting a town's heart
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
The Oregon Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program supports school district projects to make old buildings safer in an emergency. The Powers School District is using $1.5 million from the program to protect and restore a century-old town landmark. To read more about the work, visit
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End of naming, shaming and blaming
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
The Oregon Department of Education is here to help school districts and education service districts as the Student Success Act adds public education program funding and puts new demands on school leaders, says Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Colt Gill.
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Preventing threats before students are lost
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
John Van Dreal, an internationally recognized school safety expert, explains how the Salem-Keizer Threat Assessment System he helped pioneer guides educators to identify potential student threats and intervene before they escalate to tragedy.
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Internships unite school and business goals
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
Better Together connects the community with central Oregon schools to close gaps. The nonprofit is helping facilitate internships that give students valuable work and education skills while also building bridges between the business community and classrooms.
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Education equity as a ‘moral imperative’
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
The Student Success Act commands Oregon school districts to consider equity issues. National consultant and former school board member Daryl Dixon addresses why equity is important and how school leaders can approach community conversations.
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Taking on early learning
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
McMinnville School District, recognizing the importance of early learning for student success, has created programs to engage and teach children and and their families before they ever enter the K-12 system.
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More classes, more counselors, more teachers
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
Erick Flores, an Oregon teacher and school board member, offers his personal observations about how the Student Success Act will help schools provide more opportunities for their students.
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Trauma-informed care by the nonexperts
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
For La Grande Superintendent George Mendoza, relationship-building is the basis of helping students who have suffered trauma learn better and be successful in school. The district’s Culture of Care Plan not only helps the students but also helps the staff as it gives them more tools to create a safe, happy and productive learning environment.
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'Life-changing' education plan
OSBA Sounding Boards podcast
The Student Success Act, a bill to create a significant and stable investment in Oregon's schools, is working its way through the Legislature, offering real hope for district leaders. OSBA Executive Director Jim Green explains how the legislation works and what it means for communities.
info_outlineOregon Sen. Arnie Roblan shares what the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success has learned and what it hopes to accomplish.