(1) The Department of Education shall create an Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year Program.

(2) Each year, in collaboration with the Oregon State Lottery Commission, the Department of Education shall honor and recognize at least one outstanding education support professional that serves students in any grade from prekindergarten through grade 12.

(3) To qualify for an award, a candidate or another person on behalf of a candidate shall demonstrate that the candidate:

(a) Excels in the candidate’s field and guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence.

(b) Collaborates with colleagues, students and families to create a school culture of respect and success.

(c) Demonstrates leadership and innovation.

(d) Communicates in an engaging and articulate way.

(4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules specifying:

(a) The application process;

(b) The selection criteria that will be used in awarding the Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year award; and

(c) Any duties of the recipient after receiving the award. [2019 c.211 § 1]

342.974 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 342 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Sections 1 and 2, chapter 195, Oregon Laws 2019, provide:

(1) As used in this section, ‘Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 284.771.

(2) For the purpose of increasing the number of educators in the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region who are available to teach courses in math and science in grades 9 through 12 or courses related to a career and technical education program, the following evaluations shall be made:

(a) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall evaluate whether licensing requirements may be waived or modified to more closely match the licensing requirements of Idaho and to make educator positions in the region more competitive with similar educator positions in Idaho.

(b) The commission and the Department of Education shall jointly evaluate methods for promoting career advancement and mentorship opportunities for new teachers at schools in the region.

(c) The Department of Early Learning and Care shall evaluate whether a streamlined process may be implemented to improve the availability of in-home and family-provided child care.

(3) The commission, Department of Education and Department of Early Learning and Care shall report the results of the evaluations made as described in subsection (2) of this section in the manner provided by ORS § 192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2024. [2019 c.195 § 1; 2023 c.554 § 50]

Section 1 of this 2019 Act is repealed on December 31, 2024. [2019 c.195 § 2]

[Formerly 342.560; 1973 c.270 § 16; 1977 c.783 § 2; repealed by 1993 c.45 § 196]

[Formerly 342.575; 1967 c.67 § 15; 1973 c.270 § 17; repealed by 1993 c.45 § 196]

[1977 c.635 § 7; renumbered 342.495]

[1991 c.710 § 3; renumbered 342.156 in 2009]

[Repealed by 1965 c.100 § 456]