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To contact me, please click here: Rep.BoomerWright@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Wright Education Remarks.mov
Why aren't our children proficient in reading, math and science?
If public education is for everyone, why are parents pulling their children and leaving?
Why has DEI become more important than RWA, reading, writing and arithmetic?
If common sense is not communally aught in our schools, what is?
If teachers have the right to strike for better conditions, shouldn't parents and children have the same opportunity?
Educationally, does one size fit all?
Don't we want to improve learning not reform schools?
Shouldn't any student and parent have the opportunity to choose the learning environment best suited to the child?
When did learning become racist?
Oregon families are increasingly frustrated with the direction of our schools and dissatisfied with test scores, student learning, and education outcomes. Every Oregon child deserves a quality education that fits their and their families’ needs. Education should be centered around what the student needs to learn and be successful.
As evidenced by a decade of poor educational performance, our current education system's direction, forced on our public schools, has placed the misguided interests and priorities of bureaucrats and idealogues ahead of learning. Ahead of student success. Ahead of student upward economic mobility. Ahead of expanding opportunities and experiences. Ahead of building a foundation of knowledge and skills where our children can build their future. They have forgotten that we must always do what is in the best interest of our children. Families and children need to be at the center of our educational priorities not ideology. Our focus must always be to meet the educational needs of our children.
Even with record funding for our schools, our high school graduation rate remains one of the worst in the nation at 82%. According to the 2024 nation’s report card, nearly half of Oregon’s fourth graders scored “below basic” in reading. This is worse than the national average of 41%. In math, about one-third of fourth graders tested “below basic.” This is worse than the national average of 24%. Among eighth graders who tested, 35% scored “below basic” in reading, and 45% scored “below basic” in math.
There are inadequate education options for families and more funding hasn’t solved the problem. Our current system puts the interests of bureaucrats and their misguided priorities ahead of learning. We need to disrupt the status quo and improve our schools to better serve students and their families.
House Republicans will work to dramatically improve public education to give more options and return more control to the families of students who are not getting the education they deserve. We have introduced several pieces of legislation to help our students get back on the right track:
Expanding School Choice to better serve the needs of each individual student through:
HB 2672, HB 2578 – Open Enrollment so students can go to a school that fits their needs
HB 3361, HB 3448 – Summer School Learning Options
HB 2575 – Expanding Options for Early Literacy Education
HB 2681 – More CTE Opportunities
HB 3215 – Expanding Access to Charter Schools
We have also introduced other bills to extend the school year and hold our schools accountable to Oregonians for student outcomes:
HB 2051 – Restoring graduation requirements so that a diploma in Oregon means something again.
HB 3448 – Giving students more classroom time by extending the school year
HB 2393, HB 2368 – Curriculum transparency so families can be more involved in their kids’ education.
HB 3451 – Making the Superintendent of Public Instruction elected so that they are accountable to Oregonians for student outcomes
Our children deserve a quality education, and parents deserve to be involved in this process. Join us in Salem this session as we fight to improve our schools, expand school choice, and ensure our kids get the education they deserve.
As your State Representative for District 9, my office receives emails from state agencies and outside groups providing information and opportunities which may be helpful to constituents. Please see below for a few non-legislative updates. If you have questions regarding the information provided below, feel free to still email my office and we will get you connected with the group who provided the information to us.
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Local:
- The Department of Revenue is providing a free tax assistance day on April 3 from 10am to 6pm at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97301. My office will share more information as the date approaches
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Statewide
- The IRS and Oregon Department of Revenue are now accepting returns for the 2024 tax year. Click here to view an email our office received from the Oregon Department of Revenue providing some suggestions for taxpayers to help assist in efficient processing of returns and avoid common errors that may delay a refund.
- Unemployment Department Assistance: If you didn't already know, state representatives can sometimes provide assistance for delayed actions by specific government agencies. One of these is the Oregon Employment Department. If you are dealing with delays, or issues regarding unemployment, Paid Leave Oregon, or WorkSource Oregon please reach out to my office via email with your name, address, phone number and claim number and we may be able to assist you in getting these issues resolved.
Civic Engagement:
- Visitor Services will be offering in person school tour options during this legislative session (February 10 to May 31). Tour guides will take students to the House and Senate Chamber, explain the legislative process, share information about the building, and engage students in an educational activity. The tour takes 75 minutes and is open for grades 4 and above. Click here to view the on-site tour request form. You can also call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or email visitor.services@oregonlegislature.gov to book a school tour.
- House Honorary Page Program: If you have a student aged 12-17 who is interested in learning about the legislative process, the Chief Clerk's Office provides an opportunity for students to serve as an honorary page for a day, including a class on civics education, serving on the House Floor during a floor session, and more. See the flier below for more information. Click here to sign your child up.
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