Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

September 2020 (v2) - Science Educator Update

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 09/18/2020 04:15 PM PDT

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Oregon Science Educator Update September 19, 2020

Thank you! We want to thank and appreciate you for everything you are doing for students, each other and our communities during these unprecedented times.

We also want to acknowledge the devastating impact the wildfires are having on the students, educators, and families in communities across Oregon. We recognize that many are starting back to school in ways that seem unimaginable. While there are incredible challenges and losses, we also know there is tremendous resilience, outreach and support. We know there are professionally trained school personnel and community/agency support to serve as vital resources in preventing, intervening and responding to crisis situations such as these. Please continue to take care of yourselves, access services as needed for yourself or others, and contact ODE if you would like additional information or support.

For the most up-to-date information and resources, click the Oregon Wildfire Resource page, Oregon Health Authority-COVID-19, and Oregon Health Authority - Crisis and Trauma Resources.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Deb Bailey, STEM Education Specialist, Noelle Gorbett, Science Assessment Specialist, or Jamie Rumage, Science Education Specialist, if you have any questions or concerns.

K-5 and High School COVID-19 and Health Equity Units

3-5 Elementary School Units: The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of how science and society are connected, and these units explore how different communities are impacted by the virus through the lens of historical inequities in society. These multidisciplinary units include integrated social-emotional learning and supports for teachers and families in addressing these emotional topics.

*K-2 Elementary School Units will be launched on September 30th.

High School Units: These units focus on the science of infectious disease, transmission, and vaccines. Students will learn how COVID-19 impacts communities across the U.S. differently depending on factors that affect the spread of COVID-19. OpenSciEd developed these units in partnership with BSCS Science Learning and current classroom teachers from across the country. These materials can be appropriate for social studies and health courses.

Teaching K-12 Science and Engineering During a Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic is resulting in widespread and ongoing changes to how the K-12 education system functions, including disruptions to science teaching and learning environments. This guide and video from the Board on Science Education describes what high-quality science and engineering education can look like during this time of great uncertainty. The publication includes guidance—with an emphasis on the needs of district science supervisors, curriculum leads, and instructional coaches—about how K-12 science and engineering learning experiences can:

function during disruptions to education systems;
adapt as needed to support students and their families dealing with ongoing changes to instructional and home environments; and
remain at high quality or even increase in quality, even if time for instruction is reduced this year.

The guide and video is based on reports from the National Academies that focus on teaching science and engineering in grades K-12. It also incorporates input and examples from educators across the country.

All Students Belong

The Oregon Department of Education recognizes that student health and safety are the cornerstone of education and that all students are entitled to a high-quality educational experience, free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin, and without fear or hatred, racism or violence. All staff and leaders are also entitled to work in environments that are free from discrimination or harassment, and visitors should be able to participate in school activities without fear for their safety. The All Students Belong rule is an important step in creating safe and inclusive school climates where all who participate in our school communities feel welcome.

The All Students Belong rule prohibits hate symbols, specifically three of the most recognizable symbols of hate in the U.S.—the swastika (outside of a religious context), the Confederate flag, and the noose. The temporary rule takes effect on September 18, 2020. It requires districts to adopt and implement policies and procedures that prohibit the use or display of the noose, swastika, or confederate flag in any program or school-sponsored activity except where used in teaching curricula that are aligned with the Oregon State Standards by January 1, 2021.

If you have any questions about the rules or the information linked here, please email us.

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It is a policy of the State Board of Education and a priority of the Oregon Department of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. For more information, visit the Anti-Discrimination Policy page.