HB 3953
Allows an applicant for a public charter school that is a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state to directly apply to the State Board of Education for sponsorship.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
67%
Oppose
33%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill allows federally recognized Indian tribes in Oregon to directly apply to the State Board of Education for sponsorship of a public charter school, rather than needing to go through a local school district. It amends existing Oregon laws related to charter school establishment and renewal processes to accommodate this new pathway. The bill outlines specific requirements for the application and renewal process, including financial and performance standards. It also clarifies the roles of school districts and the State Board of Education in overseeing charter schools.
Key provisions
- Allows federally recognized Indian tribes to directly apply to the State Board of Education for charter school sponsorship.
- Amends ORS 338.035 to define public charter school establishment criteria.
- Modifies ORS 338.045 to outline the proposal requirements for both school districts and the State Board of Education.
- Updates ORS 338.065 to detail the charter renewal process, including timelines and review criteria.
- Clarifies the roles of school districts and the State Board of Education as sponsors.
- Specifies that Indian tribes do not need to submit a proposal to a school district board.
- Establishes a process for the State Board of Education to review decisions made by school districts regarding charter school proposals.
- Outlines criteria for the State Board of Education to evaluate charter school proposals and renewal applications.
Who is affected
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
James Manning Jr.
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
The Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools and other supporters believe that HB 3953 would provide a direct pathway to charter school authorization with the State Board of Education for federally recognized tribes in Oregon, addressing the state's unique process for authorizing public charter schools. Decades of success with existing public charter schools under SBOE oversight demonstrate that this model can be replicated for other tribes, offering an alternative pathway for tribal students and promoting community-led decision-making. By providing a tailored educational option, HB 3953 aims to address the needs of federally recognized tribes and provide access to a high-quality education. This legislation also acknowledges the state's unique government-to-government relationship with tribes, prioritizing their unique priorities and needs in the education system.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
concern that HB 3953 A may result in increased taxpayer expenditures on sovereign Tribal lands for state-sponsored public charter schools, potentially undermining the inclusivity of all students within the public school district. They argue that lack of clear budget allocation and funding source may lead to unequal distribution of resources, favoring certain student populations over others. Furthermore, some testifiers worry that this arrangement could perpetuate historical inequalities in education, exacerbating existing disparities in academic outcomes and access to quality educational opportunities.