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To: District Superintendents and K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Jennifer Patterson, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Date: August 5, 2022
Re: 2021-22 Division 22 Standards Assurances Deadlines
Dear Superintendent,
Thank you for your leadership and your steadfast commitment to serving the students, staff, and families in your community. We recognize that August is a busy month, and that there is much to do in preparation for welcoming staff, students, and families to the 2022-23 school year. In an effort to help you track what is upcoming, I am reaching out to you now regarding the required Division 22 Standards Assurances process so you can plan accordingly to meet the November deadlines.
Each year, districts report on their compliance with Division 22 Standards to their community by presenting a report to the local School Board. This annual practice is one way we publicly commit to providing a high-quality educational experience for students in our care. It provides an opportunity for school districts to demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards, reflect on areas in need of attention and alignment, and plan for how to address them. As part of our shared responsibility to provide quality service for our students and communities, this system promotes reciprocal accountability between school districts and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
To support districts in preparing for the upcoming Assurances process, this communication provides updates and reminders on the following topics:
- Fall 2022 Division 22 Standards Assurances Timeline
- Division 22 Rule Waivers and Modifications for the 2021-22 School Year
- Resources and Support
Fall 2022 Division 22 Standards Assurances Timeline
This is the annual Division 22 Standards Assurances timeline and process:
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By November 1, 2022: School district superintendents report to their local School Board the district’s compliance with all Division 22 Standards in effect for the 2021-22 school year. ODE also recommends that superintendents inform School Boards if there have been any recent changes in policy or practice that may result in the district being out of compliance with any of the Division 22 Standards during the current school year (2022-23).
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By November 1, 2022: School districts post the Community Report on Compliance with Public School Standards to their websites.
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By November 15, 2022: School districts complete and submit the annual, online ODE Division 22 Standards Assurance Form (to be provided by ODE no later than September 1, 2022).
By completing the Assurances process, school districts are certifying:
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First, that the school district presented its annual Report on Compliance with Public School Standards to the local School Board in an oral presentation at an open public meeting by November 1, 2022 and that the School Board acknowledged receipt of the report.
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Second, that the school district posted its annual Report on Compliance with Public School Standards on the school district’s website by November 1, 2022.
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Third, that the school district submitted its compliance status for each of the Division 22 Standards in effect for the 2021-22 school year to ODE by November 15, 2022.
The Assurances Form will ask school districts to review each standard and indicate whether the district was in compliance, out of compliance, or implementing corrective action during the 2021-22 school year. If the school district did not meet a given standard, the school district must provide an explanation for why the district is out of compliance and describe the school district’s proposed plan to come into compliance with the rule(s) by the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. ODE will review the school district’s submission, and if the school district did not meet one or more standards, ODE will consider the school district’s proposed plan to come into compliance and provide guidance and technical assistance in support of the plan. In this process, school districts and ODE work together to ensure full compliance with the Division 22 Standards to maintain full eligibility for state school funding.
Division 22 Rule Waivers and Modifications for the 2021-22 School Year
One addition and two waivers to the Division 22 Standards were in place for the 2021-22 school year.
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Addition: Operational Plans. School districts and public charter schools must periodically submit to the Department a plan for operation during the 2021-22 school year. The plan must be submitted on a timeline to be determined by the Department and on a form provided by the Department. This addition is set out in OAR 581-022-0106: State Standards for the 2021-22 School Year.
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Waiver: The Kindergarten Assessment (OAR 581-022-2130) was waived for the 2021-22 school year, as set out in section (2)(b) of the same rule.
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Waiver: Assessment of Essential Skills graduation requirements for the class of 2022. OAR 581-022-2000(4) was waived for Students first enrolled in ninth grade in the 2018-19 school year or earlier or who were first enrolled in ninth grade in the 2019-2020 and had an approved early graduation plan. (This requirement has also been waived for students graduating in the 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 school years.) Note: all other requirements contained in OAR 581-022-2000 remain in effect for the 2021-22 school year. The Assessment of Essential Skills waiver is set out in OAR 581-022-2115(22).
All other rules set forth in Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 581, Division 22 were in effect for the 2021-22 school year.
Resources and Support
ODE has developed a wide range of resources to support school districts in completing a robust Assurances process that supports public accountability and transparency, builds trust with the school community, and strengthens the relationship between district leadership and the school board. Any resources not currently linked below will be posted on the Division 22 webpage no later than September 1, 2022.
Tracking & Reporting Compliance
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Internal Tracking Sheet* that districts can use to gather and record information on compliance with each rule.
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Community Report Template* (Report on Compliance with Public School Standards) that meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility criteria (Please note: Districts are required to use this template provided by ODE.) Translated versions of the template will also be provided; districts are strongly encouraged to post translated versions of the report as appropriate for the communities they serve.
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Online Submission Form* that school districts must use to submit their assurances to ODE.
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Report and Submission Form Instructions that explain how to complete the required Community Report Template and how to submit assurances to ODE through the online submission form.
*New for this year: We are updating the Community Report Template so that it is organized by category. Previously, the rules were listed in order by rule number. Our goal is to increase understanding of what the standards are and what role they play in the state's delivery of educational services for school board members, district staff, parents, and students. The online submission form and internal tracking sheet have also been updated to reflect the reorganization.
Engaging the School Board & Community
Professional Learning & Support
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August 2022 Division 22 Standards Newsletter featuring:
- updates on what’s new for the 2022-23 school year;
- clarification on rules that are commonly misunderstood; and
- insights on how the standards intersect with current issues and trends in K-12 education
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Drop-in Office Hours to support district staff in completing the assurances process.
- Recorded video tutorial that can be accessed any time.
Thank you for your continued efforts to honor and uphold the Division 22 Standards. If you have any questions or are in need of additional support, we are happy to assist you. Please direct questions regarding the Division 22 Standards Assurances process to Division22@ode.state.or.us or call Susan Payne, Education Standards & Systems Specialist, at (503) 580-6814.
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