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Welcome to the March 2026 Aligned Message. This month’s message contains a host of updates and resources to support your work. Please share the content widely. When you wish to celebrate exciting news about learners’ journeys, please consider using the link at the bottom of this message to submit “Bright Spots.” Please be safe, stay healthy, and celebrate that Spring Break is only a few weeks away.
In this month’s message, you’ll find information about:
25-26 EIIS Grant Agreements
25-26 EIIS Grant Agreements were sent to recipients via Smartsheet on 2/19/26. Grant agreements should be signed by district staff with signatory authority. Once agreements are verified by ODE, funds can be released in EGMS and grantees can make claims. EIIS is a reimbursement style grant.
Rolling into Phase 3 to Inform Oregon’s Implementation of the Modernized National Career Clusters® Framework
The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Education Innovation and Improvement (EII) and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s (HECC) Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) staff assigned to the Modernized National Career Clusters® Framework is finishing out Phase 2 and has started the work of Phase 3.
The multi-phase plan is set to thoughtfully align Oregon’s systems and programs with the modernized framework (Figure 1). For a more detailed overview of the adoption timeline see the update in the linked document.
Current Work and Completed Tasks
Staff initiated research projects to inform adoption scenarios for Phases 3 and 4.
Research teams are assessing the impacts of the new framework on existing Oregon systems. Example research topics include:
- Flexibility in Program of Study Design
- Teacher Credentialing and Licensing
- Data and Reporting
Members of these teams include ODE staff, HECC staff, CTE Regional Coordinators, Secondary CTE Direct Grant Managers, and Community College partners.
ODE and HECC directors and staff are currently reviewing and aligning goals with state initiatives.
Upcoming Work
Teams will continue meeting over the next few months and will share their findings and proposals with the joint project management team.
Ongoing Communication
ODE and HECC will provide monthly updates through the Integrated EII Monthly Communication newsletter, including timelines, engagement opportunities, summaries of completed work, answers to field questions, and resources to support local planning. In the meantime, if you have recommendations or questions regarding Oregon’s Adoption Plan for the Modernized National Career Clusters® please email the work group’s new email address: ODE.Careerclusters@ode.oregon.gov.
If you are not already receiving the “Integrated EII Aligned Message”, you can sign up to receive it here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORED/subscriber/qualify.
Guidance to Support Accurate Attendance Reporting
We are excited to share Guidance to Support Accurate Attendance Reporting, a new resource designed to support districts and schools in understanding the situations in which students should be counted as present for attendance reporting. This resource clarifies how districts can both follow state reporting requirements and remain responsive to the needs of their students and families. It outlines scenarios for students who are learning in person, participating in remote instructional models, engaging in school-sponsored activities, experiencing school-bus transportation delays, and other attendance-impacting situations.
HB 3040 OAR Updates Adopted!
In June 2025, HB 3040 passed the state legislature, updating the Early Literacy Success School District Grant program by:
- Broadening eligibility for professional development and coaching to include instructional assistants and additional staff.
- Extending the adoption and implementation of curricula that use research-aligned literacy strategies from Pre-K–3rd grade to Pre-K - 5th grade.
As part of these statutory updates, ODE was required to define “additional staff.” The State Board of Education adopted the following definition: For Early Literacy Success School District Grants, established in ORS 327.829, “additional staff” means individuals in a school, other than teachers, administrators, or instructional assistants, who are directly involved in delivering, supporting, or coordinating literacy instruction for students.
Implications of this update:
- Additional staff may receive professional development and coaching funded through Early Literacy Success School District Grant funds. Examples of additional staff may be community partners, volunteers, student teachers, etc.
- These allowable expenditures may be backdated to July 1, 2025.
Please reach out to your District Grant Manager if you have questions or would like to revise or update your expenditures.
Early Literacy Success School District 2024-25 Legislative Report is Published!
Please check out the 2024-25 Early Literacy Success School District Legislative Report and Executive Summary. The report highlights the great work happening across the state, with many districts being spotlighted for their demonstrated impact in early literacy.
Professional Learning Opportunities
WBL Data Training to Support Equitable Access & Local Planning
ODE is preparing to offer a Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunity Gap Analysis training designed to support districts, ESDs, Regional Coordinators, and other leaders in using data to inform planning and strengthen equitable access to WBL experiences. As we plan delivery, we are seeking input on timing and format. Please complete this brief survey to share your preferences.
Early Indicator & Intervention Systems Office Hours and Professional Learning
Join the EIIS monthly office hours with staff to discuss your questions about your student success system, share ideas, and review resources. Next Office Hours: Thursday, March 19, 3:30-4:15 pm - Register here
Materials for EIIS learning series are now available on Canvas to support individual and teams’ implementation of their student success systems. The materials available can be used and modified for school or district-led facilitation, or for asynchronous learning. Learning series materials are available for the following topic areas:
Contact the EIIS team at ODE.EII@ode.oregon.gov with questions about the Early Indicator & Intervention Systems learning series or how we can support your implementation of student success systems.
Reminder: The website lists all professional development opportunities provided by ODE. Also the calendar is now available to track EII specific TA, PL, and other coaching opportunities.
Contact Us
Celebrate Bright Spots Across Oregon!
We want to highlight and share the incredible success stories happening in your school, district, region, and community. Whether it’s an inspiring Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiative, a Career Connected Learning (CCL) program, impactful Integrated Guidance (IG) projects, community engagement efforts, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) advancements, or achievements in SIA, High School Success, and more—we want to hear about it! Tell us your story, and it could be featured in an upcoming Oregon Department of Education (ODE) communication. Let’s celebrate and share the amazing work happening across the state! Submit the form here.
Reminder: The Required Monthly Submission and Reporting Calendar lists all required school district submissions for the 2023-24 school year.
All previous Aligned Messages can be found on the Integrated Monthly Communication page.
If you have any questions, please contact OEII at ode.eii@ode.oregon.gov.
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