Bill > SJR24

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment in Oregon to establish a comprehensive school choice framework that empowers parents to select their children's educational environment. The resolution defines key terms like "school choice account" and establishes parents' rights to choose between public schools within a district, regardless of traditional attendance boundaries, and to select nonpublic education options such as private schools or homeschooling. Under the proposed amendment, parents who choose nonpublic education would receive a school choice account funded by the state at 80% of either $9,500 or the average per-student state distribution, which can be used for various educational expenses including curriculum materials, tutoring, transportation, textbooks, and even post-secondary education costs. The resolution is grounded in several key premises, including that a child's zip code or family income should not limit educational opportunities, that many schools are failing disadvantaged students, and that parents are best positioned to understand their children's educational needs. By creating this constitutional right to educational choice, the resolution aims to introduce competition among schools, potentially driving innovative improvements in education quality and providing families with more personalized learning options. The proposed amendment would be submitted to Oregon voters for approval at the next regular general election.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SJR24