Education

HB 4112 increases funding for Oregon's outdoor school program by $6 million, raising the biennial allocation from $48 million to $54 million for the 2025-2027 budget period. This funding supports outdoor education programs that provide hands-on environmental learning experiences for students, directly benefiting schools and educational organizations participating in the program. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage, though the emergency declaration does not alter the funding amount or program structure.

Establishes the Oregon Imagination Library Program to provide a free book each month to eligible children, encourage children to develop a love of reading and learning and improve school readiness, third-grade reading proficiency and high school graduation rates. Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to implement and administer the program. Authorizes the Early Learning Council, in consultation with the department, to adopt rules necessary to implement the program. Establishes the Oregon Imagination Library Account within the department for purposes of funding the program.

Authorizes a teacher to immediately remove from the classroom setting a student who repeatedly interferes with the teacher's ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the students to learn. Prescribes requirements for the return of a student to the classroom setting. Requires a school district to convene a placement review committee when a student is removed from a classroom setting. Requires a student to demonstrate proficiency in specified Essential Learning Skills prior to the student being awarded a high school diploma or a modified diploma. Directs the State Board of Education to adopt academic content standards for language arts based on the science of reading and writing. Prohibits school districts from advancing students who are not able to demonstrate third-grade reading proficiency. Provides exceptions. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Directs the Joint Interim Committee on Ways and Means to use a cost model for the purpose of calculating the sum of moneys sufficient to meet the state's system of public education quality goals. Modifies the public education quality goals for the purpose of the cost model and makes related changes specifying when a school district is a standard school district. Abolishes a joint committee related to the appropriation of moneys for public education. Abolishes the Quality Education Commission. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.