Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the state business tax in order to enhance education funding.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the corporate activity tax imposed for this Act shall equal $250 plus the product of the taxpayer’s taxable commercial activity in excess of $1 million for the calendar year multiplied by 0.27 percent (Sec. 65).

• Establishes the Fund for Student Success as a statewide education initiative (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the Student Investment Account within the Fund for Student Success (Sec. 8):

• Authorizes the Department of Education to award grants from the Student Investment Account to meet students’ mental or behavioral health needs and increase academic achievement for students, including but not limited to the following academic disparities (Sec. 9):

• Economically disadvantaged students, as determined based on eligibility for free or reduced price lunches under the US Department of Agriculture’s current Income Eligibility Guidelines;

• Students from racial or ethnic groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, as determined under rules adopted by the State Board of Education;

• Students with disabilities;

• Students who are English language learners;

• Students who are foster children; and

• Students who are homeless, as determined under rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

• Authorizes grant moneys received to be used by a grant recipient only for the following (Sec. 9):

• Increasing instructional time, which may include more hours or days of instructional time, summer programs, before or after school programs, or technological investments that minimize class time used for assessments;

• Addressing students’ health or safety needs, which may include social-emotional learning and development, student mental and behavioral health, improvements to teaching and learning practices, student health and wellness, trauma-informed practices, and facility improvements directly related to improving student health or safety;

• Reducing class sizes , which may include increasing the use of instructional assistants to ensure appropriate student-teacher ratios or staff caseloads; or

• Expanding availability of and student participation in well-rounded learning experiences which may include developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive early literacy practices and programs in prekindergarten through 3rd grade, culturally responsive practices and programs in grades 6 through 8, including learning, counselling, and student support that is connected to colleges and careers, and broadened curricular options at all grade levels, including access to:

• Art, music, and physical education classes;

• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education;

• Career and technical education programs;

• Electives that are engaging to students;

• Accelerated college credit programs, including dual credit programs, International Baccalaureate programs and advanced placement programs;

• Dropout prevention programs and transition supports;

• Life skills classes; or

• Talented and gifted programs.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the state business tax in order to enhance education funding.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the corporate activity tax imposed for this Act shall equal $250 plus the product of the taxpayer’s taxable commercial activity in excess of $1 million for the calendar year multiplied by 0.27 percent (Sec. 65).

• Establishes the Fund for Student Success as a statewide education initiative (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the Student Investment Account within the Fund for Student Success (Sec. 8):

• Authorizes the Department of Education to award grants from the Student Investment Account to meet students’ mental or behavioral health needs and increase academic achievement for students, including but not limited to the following academic disparities (Sec. 9):

• Economically disadvantaged students, as determined based on eligibility for free or reduced price lunches under the US Department of Agriculture’s current Income Eligibility Guidelines;

• Students from racial or ethnic groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, as determined under rules adopted by the State Board of Education;

• Students with disabilities;

• Students who are English language learners;

• Students who are foster children; and

• Students who are homeless, as determined under rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

• Authorizes grant moneys received to be used by a grant recipient only for the following (Sec. 9):

• Increasing instructional time, which may include more hours or days of instructional time, summer programs, before or after school programs, or technological investments that minimize class time used for assessments;

• Addressing students’ health or safety needs, which may include social-emotional learning and development, student mental and behavioral health, improvements to teaching and learning practices, student health and wellness, trauma-informed practices, and facility improvements directly related to improving student health or safety;

• Reducing class sizes , which may include increasing the use of instructional assistants to ensure appropriate student-teacher ratios or staff caseloads; or

• Expanding availability of and student participation in well-rounded learning experiences which may include developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive early literacy practices and programs in prekindergarten through 3rd grade, culturally responsive practices and programs in grades 6 through 8, including learning, counselling, and student support that is connected to colleges and careers, and broadened curricular options at all grade levels, including access to:

• Art, music, and physical education classes;

• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education;

• Career and technical education programs;

• Electives that are engaging to students;

• Accelerated college credit programs, including dual credit programs, International Baccalaureate programs and advanced placement programs;

• Dropout prevention programs and transition supports;

• Life skills classes; or

• Talented and gifted programs.

Full Bill Text