Dear Education Community,

Improvement work rarely pauses, and that is exactly why we have to build in moments to stop, look at the evidence, and name what is working. Celebrating progress is not the same as settling for it. I want to do both this month: recognize real gains, and be clear about how much distance remains. 

Celebrating Teachers

It is fitting that just after we celebrated World Teachers Day (Oct. 5), we announced Oregon’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year Nate Jackson (Oct. 6)! Congratulations to Mr. Jackson and the 16 additional Regional Teachers of the Year we announced in September. You can read more in the articles below, but I’m always inspired by the great work these educators are doing in all corners of the state, in schools of all sizes. Great teaching is the most powerful lever we have for student outcomes, and our job at the state level is to build the conditions where more of it can happen for every child, in every classroom, every day.  I thank them – and all teachers – for their continued dedication to Oregon’s scholars and encourage you to submit nominations for next year’s awards.

Assessment Gains

Last month’s Oregon Statewide Assessment results showed proficiency increases in nearly every grade level in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and science.  That is worth recognizing, because it reflects hard work in classrooms and districts.  It is also not where we want to be.  We know that meaningful improvement takes time, so we can’t take our foot off the gas. Our expectations for Oregon’s scholars have not changed and neither has our urgency. 

Lasting improvement is built through sustained effort, aligned investment, and a willingness to learn from the data and adjust. Our job at ODE is to turn what the data tell us into clear priorities, stronger support for districts, and accountability that drives results rather than compliance alone. 

It also matters how we talk about these summative test results. You may hear someone say the tests show a percentage of Oregon students “can’t read” or “can’t do math.” But that’s not true. Summative tests are a snapshot in time, designed to point out areas in our system that need improving and can indicate trends that help districts know if their efforts are paying off. Our teachers use several tools to determine what individual students know and can do. We need our summative tests to find achievement gaps so they can be addressed.

Tribal Conversation

I want to thank the Burns Paiute Tribe for recently inviting ODE to participate in a Community Conversation related to education. Participants identified significant strengths, including resilient families, strong cultural traditions, dedicated community programs, and a deep commitment to education.

At the same time, community members highlighted ongoing needs related to language preservation, family engagement, early learning, attendance, student advocacy, and educational and disciplinary equity. The findings reinforce the importance of sustained collaboration among the Burns Paiute Tribe, local education partners, ODE, and state leadership.

The community's vision is clear: an educational system that honors Tribal identity, strengthens language and culture, supports families, expands opportunities for youth, and ensures that every Burns Paiute student has the tools and support necessary to thrive. I look forward to continuing the conversation with the Burns Paiute Tribe and the other eight federally recognized tribes in Oregon to ensure Native students thrive in their educational opportunities.

Celebrations

Make sure you find time to celebrate this month! You can read about Farm to School Month (and National School Lunch Week) below, but October is also National Information Literacy Month. Every year brings new opportunities and challenges when it comes to technology, making it all the more critical for us to make sure we and Oregon’s students navigate this new era. To that end, ODE has updated our AI guidance. We all want to encourage curiosity and creativity while also making sure there are boundaries that respect privacy and ensure security.

Plus, you still have a little more time to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. We included an article about it in last month’s Education Update, but it runs from September 15 through October 15, so there’s still time!

Attendance Matters

Finally, thank you to everyone who took time to celebrate Attendance Awareness Month in September. The work extends beyond just the first month of school, but I hope it strengthened some good habits around showing up every day. Stay tuned for a big celebration coming up when we announce our first Attendance Impact Awards later this fall! It will be an honor to put the spotlight on individuals, schools, and districts that are going above and beyond when it comes to attendance. It’s a fitting legacy for State Representative Hòa Nguyễn, whose life’s work before she passed away last year centered on supporting Oregon students and strengthening the conditions that help them attend school regularly, feel connected, and thrive.

I hope you take the time to celebrate some accomplishments and recognize how your efforts are paying off.

In Love and Justice,

Dr. Charlene Williams