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We know many families, communities and students are navigating some of the worst wildfires in state history. We are also appreciative of the efforts of firefighters and local communities to fight the expanding fires and keep people safe. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your regional points for support, review ODE’s message, and tap into local and regional resources to stay safe and informed.
As summer begins to wind down, schools and districts across Oregon are preparing to welcome students, educators, and families back for a new year of learning. August is a season of planning, collaboration, and fresh opportunities, and we recognize the tremendous work taking place behind the scenes to ensure a strong start for every learner.
In this edition of the Aligned Message, you'll find important updates, upcoming professional learning opportunities, key dates, and inspiring stories that highlight the innovation and dedication happening across our state. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to supporting Oregon's students, schools, and communities—we wish you a successful and rewarding start to the 2026–27 school year.
In this month’s message, you’ll find information about:
Announcements
Change in setting targets for Academic Growth
As you prepare your local metrics for the 2026–27 school year, we want to provide clarification for those considering Academic Growth as a local metric within the Performance Growth Targets (PGTs) framework.
If your district or charter school selects Academic Growth as a local metric for 2026–27:
For the four-year PGT table, you should enter “N/A” or an asterisk (*) for each of the four years of Performance Growth Targets.
This is because 2026–27 will serve as the baseline year for academic growth, and prior-year data will not yet be available to establish targets.
Looking ahead:
Ahead of the 2027–28 school year, once one year of baseline data is available, districts and charter schools who have selected Academic Growth as their local metric will be required to set targets for the remaining three years of the PGT period.
At that point, you will not be able to change your selected Local Metric. Districts selecting Academic Growth are committing to this metric for the duration of the PGT cycle.
We encourage you to take this into consideration as you determine the most appropriate local metric for your community.
Additional guidance and technical support will be provided as we approach the target-setting process.
If you have questions, please reach out to ode.eii@ode.oregon.gov.
Celebrating Early Literacy Progress Across Oregon: Coming Fall 2026
ODE is excited to launch “Early Literacy Bright Spots,” an initiative to identify and highlight districts demonstrating meaningful progress in early literacy. Across Oregon, districts are implementing impactful, evidence-based literacy practices and we hope to amplify these efforts so they can inform and inspire literacy work statewide. In partnership with WestEd, we will identify, learn from, and elevate the promising practices emerging through the Early Literacy Success School District Grant.
In the spring of 2027, districts will have opportunities to participate in a statewide Early Literacy “Bright Spots” Summit, where district leaders will share effective practices, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration around evidence-based literacy instruction and improvement.
Additional details about participation, timelines, and next steps will be shared this fall. We look forward to showcasing the important work happening in communities across the state.
If you have any questions, please contact the Literacy Team at k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov.
Key Dates
- All PGT submissions are due by 8/31/26
- Integrated Programs Q4/Annual Reporting is open and due by 9/30/26
- EIIS Claims Submission Deadline is 8/14/26. Please submit your claims for any funds that were spent prior to 6/30/26.
Your Presence Matters: Starting the School Year Strong
Join the Every Day Matters team for "Your Presence Matters", a virtual event featuring resources, customizable tools, and practical strategies to help students and families start the 2026-27 school year strong.
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 3:35 PM PST
To support healthy transitions for participants, we'll begin five minutes after the half-hour.
Register Here.
Upcoming Attendance Works Webinar
Attendance Works is offering two free webinars focused on building strong school communities and supporting student engagement from the start of the school year:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 12-1:30pm PT | 3-4:30 pm ET
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 12-1:30pm PT | 3-4:30pm ET
District Equity Committees Optional Annual Report
If your District Equity Committee has prepared an optional annual report, please send it to ODE.EII@ode.oregon.gov by September 15th, 2026. ODE will provide copies of these reports and a summary of submitted reports to the State Board of Education annually. You can find the full District Equity Committee Guidance (updated January 2026) as well as a High-Level Summary on the District Equity Committees webpage.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Summits: Coming October 2026
The Oregon Department of Education invites district literacy leaders to apply for a free three-part Early Literacy Curriculum-Based Professional Learning (CBPL) Summit Series in 2026–27. Designed to support leadership teams implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), the series will provide practical tools, strategies, and collaborative learning opportunities grounded in curriculum-based professional learning.
Summit #1 will be held in person on October 16, 2026, at the Training Center at Tigard-Tualatin School District, and will focus on building the vision, systems, and routines needed for successful HQIM implementation. (Travel stipends available.)
Complete the interest form to receive additional information and the application in early August. Questions can be sent to k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov.
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.
Bright Spot Celebration
Bright Spot: Team Oregon Build | Ready2Respond Camp
What happens when more than 130 Oregon high school students are challenged to establish a disaster response camp, work alongside professionals, earn industry-recognized credentials, and help build disaster response resources for Oregon communities? During the inaugural Team Oregon Build Ready2Respond camp, students from 17 Oregon counties experienced exactly that through a week-long immersive learning experience that combined Career Connected Learning, emergency preparedness, workforce development, and community resilience.
The inaugural Team Oregon Build Ready2Respond camp was planned and coordinated by OHCS, ODHS, OEM, ODF, ODE, PIVOT Architecture, and the Oregon National Guard (Oregon NG), with support from Lane Education Service District, Knife River, and numerous education, workforce, industry, nonprofit, community, and Tribal partners. Together, they created an immersive learning experience that introduced students to careers in construction, emergency management, emergency communications, emergency medical services (EMS), public safety, logistics, culinary arts, and disaster recovery.
The experience mirrored real-world emergency response. Rather than arriving at a prepared site, students first established the response camp by setting up tents, sleeping areas, mobile shower units, the mobile kitchen, and other essential field operations before beginning construction and recovery activities. Throughout the week, they worked long days in summer heat while adapting to changing conditions, collaborating as teams, and solving authentic challenges similar to those faced during disaster response.
Students earned industry-recognized certifications and credentials, with five Oregon Employability Skills woven throughout the experience: Adaptability, Analysis & Solution Mindset, Collaboration, Communication, and Resilience. More than 70 students in the construction pathway built 10 disaster response sheds and shelters that will be strategically placed in Oregon communities to support future disaster recovery efforts.
Ready2Respond demonstrates how Career Connected Learning can move beyond career awareness by engaging students in authentic work alongside professionals to solve meaningful, real-world challenges. Students experienced firsthand how classroom learning connects to future education, careers, and service to their communities.
The inaugural Ready2Respond experience highlights the power of cross-sector collaboration. It demonstrates an innovative Career Connected Learning model, preparing students for future success, strengthening Oregon's workforce, and building more resilient communities.
Watch this short video to experience the energy, teamwork, and hands-on learning that defined the inaugural Ready2Respond camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwDp7b85xVM
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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