Gov. Kotek Promises School Changes as 43.8% of Oregon Students Meet Reading Standards

Oregon public school achievement results for the 2025–26 school year show fewer than half of students meeting state standards in reading, writing, math, and science, prompting newly re-elected Gov. Tina Kotek to promise major changes for her second term.

Statewide assessment figures released for the term indicate that 43.8% of students meet standards in reading and writing. Math proficiency sits at 32.9%, while science proficiency reaches 30.6%. That means roughly one in three students test at grade level in math and science, according to the data.

“We have still too many children who aren’t reading at grade level. So, we are going to continue to double down on literacy. Make sure instructional time is improved. We have work to do there,” Kotek said at a recent news conference.

Kotek wants to raise Oregon’s instructional time up to the national average by the end of her second term. Oregon currently ranks near the bottom nationally for classroom time.

To prevent districts from cutting hours further, the governor issued an executive order stopping school districts from reducing instructional time. Increasing classroom time, however, arrives as districts face millions of dollars in budget cuts due to declining student enrollment and rising operating costs.

“They have to make the right choices for their students. And that means being transparent and reducing all their costs before they start impacting the student experience,” Kotek said regarding district financial choices.

Oregon currently distributes education funding primarily based on student enrollment, adding weights for special education services, English language learners, and students experiencing poverty. Declining enrollment causes districts to lose funding even while many of their operating expenses remain.

“I think we have to have a conversation about how we do the formula of our schools. Maybe enrollment is the wrong marker. That was established almost 30 years ago. Maybe it must be student need,” Kotek said.

Any overhaul of this 30-year-old funding formula requires action from the state legislature. This legislative shift would alter how money flows to school districts across the state.

Kotek plans to introduce legislation targeting early childhood education programs. The proposal builds on recommendations from a statewide early childhood care and learning roundtable to expand affordable child care and preschool.

The governor also supports changing how the state handles academic assessments. Oregon law currently allows parents to opt their children out of state English language arts and math tests. Kotek signaled support for ending the practice where school districts proactively inform families about the opt-out option, while keeping the legal right for parents to choose.

The next four years will test whether the administration can turn these policy promises into measurable academic gains while districts balance tight budgets.