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As summer settles across Oregon, we hope you are finding moments to recharge, reflect, and enjoy the season. While students may be out of the classroom, we know that important work continues behind the scenes as educators, administrators, ESDs, community partners, and grant recipients plan, prepare, and innovate for the year ahead.
July is a time of both renewal and preparation. A chance to celebrate accomplishments from the past school year while laying the groundwork for future success. In this edition of the Aligned Message, you'll find updates, resources, and opportunities to support your ongoing efforts throughout the summer months.
Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to Oregon’s students, families, and communities. We wish you a safe, productive, and restorative summer.
In this month’s message, you’ll find information about:
Announcments
Establishing and Sustaining District Equity Committees: Guidance
As you kick off the 2026–2027 school year and continue or begin work with your District Equity Committee (DEC), ODE encourages districts to review the January 2026 guidance and recent updates made through House Bill 2453. Building on Senate Bill 732 and ORS 329.711, HB 2453 clarifies that DECs are advisory solely to the superintendent, that member selection is coordinated by the superintendent without school board approval, and that DECs are no longer subject to Public Meetings Law. Whether your district has already implemented a DEC or is establishing one this year, DECs remain an important structure for elevating community voice, advising on the educational equity impacts of district decisions, and strengthening support for underserved students, families, staff, and communities through meaningful resourcing, transparency, and accountability.
Establishing and Sustaining District Equity Committees Guidance
2026-27 Federal School Improvement (CSI/TSI) School-level Improvement Plans
Has your district been identified for Federal School Improvement (CSI/TSI) for the 2026–27 school year? This guidance document outlines key requirements, timelines, and resources to support the completion and submission of 2026–27 Federal School Improvement (FSI) school-level improvement plans.
ODE/HECC CTE Career Cluster Modernization Update
The ODE/HECC Modernized National Career Clusters® Framework Implementation Team has completed the research phase and is now engaging CTE leaders for feedback on key findings. This feedback will inform recommendations to be co-developed at the August 4-5, 2026, Summer CTE Meeting, where secondary and postsecondary leaders will partner with ODE/HECC to define next steps. Those outcomes will be refined through broader engagement and strengthened through ongoing internal and external partnerships, informing decisions and plans to strengthen Oregon’s career preparation system for all learners.
We would also like to extend our thanks to all who contributed to the initial research.
Stay tuned for more updates as the summer progresses! In the meantime, please reach out to ode.careerclusters@ode.oregon.gov should you have any questions or concerns.
Key Dates
Integrated Programs Q4/Annual Reporting Opens
The Integrated Programs Q4/Annual Report will open July 6th in your Smartsheet for submission. The Q4/Annual Report is due September 30th and includes reporting on expenditures for January 1-June 30, 2026; updating progress markers; answering narrative questions; completing Early Literacy Fidelity of Implementation questions and completing the Early Literacy data workbook. Please note, that EII is no longer requiring submission of Board Minutes for the Annual Report; however a Board Presentation is still required. For detailed instructions on how to complete and submit your Q4/Annual report, please refer to directions in this external guidance folder or watch the video embedded on your WorkApp on the 2025-27 IP Reporting Tab.
Reminder to submit your claims for EIIS Funds!
The Early Indicator and Intervention System (EIIS) Grant is a reimbursement-based grant with a period of performance from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. All grant-funded expenditures must be incurred no later than June 30, 2026.
Reimbursement claims for eligible expenses incurred during the grant period must be submitted through EGMS by August 14, 2026 (45 days after the close of the grant). Claims submitted after this deadline cannot be processed.
Key Dates:
- Spend-by Date: June 30, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.)
- Claim-by Date: August 14, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Please ensure all claims are submitted by the deadline to receive reimbursement for eligible expenditures.
HSS Grant Amendments Coming Soon!
High School Success Grant Amendments will be coming out soon via Smartsheet with year 2 allocations. These funds will be loaded into your current subgrants in EGMS and will be released once you have returned your signed grant amendments.
Professional Learning Opportunities
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, HSS, 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.
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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