[Libs-Or] Proposed Changes to Quality Education Model

[MAURER Jennifer * SLO]

Please pardon the cross-posting.

Hi Folks,

The Oregon Quality Education Model (QEM) seeks to establish an objective and research-based link between student achievement and the resources devoted to Oregon schools to use as a guide in future efforts to adequately fund Oregon schools. The Quality Education Commission<https://www.oregon.gov/ode/reports-and-data/taskcomm/pages/qemreports.aspx> produces a QEM report and cost model in even-numbered years, and often those include recommendations for school library staffing and materials (books and periodicals) expenditures. There's more about that on the State Library's Staffing and Funding in School Libraries webpage<https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries/Pages/School-Staffing.aspx>.

Given that connection to school libraries, I thought you might be interested in a QEM proposal that will be considered during the Oregon legislative session that kicks off on 2/2. These two articles share many details and do not (seem to) require subscriptions.


  *   "Overhaul of Oregon School Funding Formula, Goals of Public Education Has Lawmakers at Odds<https://beavertonvalleytimes.com/2026/01/19/overhaul-of-oregon-school-funding-formula-goals-of-public-education-has-lawmakers-at-odds/>" (Beaverton Valley Times, 1/19/26)
  *   "Oregon Lawmakers Consider Overhaul of Decades-old School Funding Model<https://katu.com/news/politics/oregon-lawmakers-consider-overhaul-of-decades-old-school-funding-model>" (KATU, 1/21/26)

Here are a few key points. Quoted text is from the Beaverton Valley Times article.


  *   The proposal would eliminate the Quality Education Commission and the QEM, and transfer responsibility to the Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO).
  *   LPRO "would contract and work with a public or private firm that undertakes school finance analysis. As part of the analysis, researchers would have to hold panels with educators across the state about school needs."
  *   LPRO "would then present recommendations for school funding levels to the Legislature's budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee every eight years. During intervening two-year budget cycles, the Department of Administrative Services would adjust the recommended spending levels to account for inflation and other costs."
  *   There would also be some requirements around certain standards and graduation rates.
  *   Some are concerned that only having a month to debate this during the short session is not long enough.

This will be something to watch during the legislative session.

Best,
Jen

Jen Maurer, MLS (she/her)
School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon
jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov> | 971-375-3540 | https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries

[Logo with this text: State Library of Oregon, Library Support and Development Services]
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