The Senate Interim Committee on Education Chaired by Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced SB 223, which requires private school registration with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) if they want their students to participate in interscholastic sports or activities with public schools. This is the latest attack on schools outside the public system, an attack against school choice.

This bill came out of the blue with no mention at the fall committee meeting. The take-away from that meeting was the anti-choice sediment expressed by one Senator eluding to choice as a white-privilege. Not all members agreed, but perhaps “choice” was translated to “private schools,” That still doesn’t explain requiring private schools to report and submit for approval on the following:

• Curriculum
• Student behavior & discipline policies
• Instructional time
• Student mental health & abuse investigation
• Facility health and safety
• Teacher competency & background checks

Currently, ODE policy states: “non-public education is recognized as a vital part of Oregon’s educational system. Private schools do not have to register with the State of Oregon, unless they are contracting with public school district for services.” SB 223 would change this and would require private schools to register with ODE annually. Over 50,000 Oregon students choose private schools, primarily for the added religious curriculum. Should the state have approval over religious curriculum?

The Supreme Court has upheld parents’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights as they relate to education. The First Amendment grants parents the right to choose education for their children that doesn’t interfere with their religious beliefs. The Fourteenth Amendment protects parents’ rights to direct the education of their children and ensures that differences between public and private school cannot be eradicated. State regulation of private education must be reasonable and not without limits. If private schools need ODE approval for all plans and procedures, they would become de facto public schools.

The bill states, “The unique qualities of private education while seeking to further the educational opportunities of students enrolled in private schools.” By limiting the participation in interscholastic activities to private schools that are registered, it creates a problem that they propose to solve by requiring registration.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

SB 223 is a threat to the future of private schools, religious freedom, parental rights and school choice. It undermines the broad educational goals of private education as well as essentially eliminate private schools’ jurisdiction over their own schools.

The bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee On Education on March 17 at 3:15 PM.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-03-05 20:05:52

Last Update: 2021-03-05 20:23:58