Oregon’s new education accountability law, Senate Bill 141, took center stage during the Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors meeting June 11 as district leaders reviewed how the state will measure student growth, monitor district performance and intervene when schools fail to meet expectations.
Supt. Jennifer Meckley presented an overview of the 2025 Education Accountability Act, formerly known as SB141, which shifts Oregon from what the presentation described as a “reporting-only” model to a “shared accountability” model.
Under the law, districts will be evaluated using eight student outcome metrics, along with a state-approved local measure, and assigned performance growth targets by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
The law also establishes an escalating continuum of support for districts that miss those targets.
Districts missing performance growth targets for one or two years will receive coaching and technical assistance from ODE. If targets are missed for a third consecutive year, the district enters an intensive coaching program that includes direct state-level strategic planning and support.
After four or more years of missing targets, ODE may prescribe the use of up to 25% of a district’s State School Fund or Student Investment Account funding for state-approved academic interventions.
Another major requirement under SB141 is the use of interim assessments in grades K-8. Districts must administer approved assessments in mathematics and language arts three times annually to measure student growth throughout the school year. Lebanon is already using MAP Growth, one of the assessment tools expected to meet the state’s requirements.
The law also requires districts to publicly report progress toward performance targets during school board meetings, making student growth data a recurring topic in future board discussions.
As board members discussed the new accountability system, Board Member Mike Martin asked how growth differs from achievement, a distinction that will play a key role under SB141.
“So achievement is measured by their ability in the skills,” Meckley explained. “Growth is how much they grew from here to here. So it’s a different measure. It’s individual growth and it’s normed.”
Following the SB141 presentation, Meckley reviewed spring MAP Growth results.
Districtwide math growth measured at the 59th percentile nationally, while reading growth measured at the 61st percentile. Reading achievement increased from the 45th percentile in the fall to the 52nd percentile in the spring.
“While achievement remains an area where we want continued improvement, the growth data indicates students are moving forward at a healthy pace,” Meckley told the board.
Board members also discussed why middle school growth trends were generally weaker than those seen in elementary grades. Board Member Melissa Baurer asked what factors contribute to the difference.
“It’s a really good question,” Meckley said. “The transition to middle school, well, at least to Seven Oak, there’s a difference in how they receive instruction.” She noted students move from self-contained classrooms to shorter class periods and often have less instructional time as a direct result.
Looking ahead, Meckley said schedule changes planned for Seven Oak Middle School will create additional intervention and enrichment opportunities for students.
“The schedule is a big deal at middle school when it comes to being able to support the students,” she said. “That’s a factor that we can control.”
Board Action Recap
Board members unanimously (5-0) approved:
- Adoption of the district’s 2026-27 budget totaling $99,101,936.
- Resolution No. 26-0611A making appropriations for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
- Resolution No. 26-0611B imposing and categorizing district taxes.
- Approval of the district’s permanent operating tax rate of $4.9925 per $1,000 of assessed value and a bond levy of $4,716,321.