Backers of a $55 million proposal to improve Oregon's classroom instruction faced questions from legislators this Monday.
April Baer / OPB
Rudy Crew
$10 million for teacher-mentors, $12 million to help schools collaborate, and millions for teacher training are all part of a proposal to improve instruction.
It’s the most expensive of four school initiatives from the governor’s office.
But Eugene-area senator Chris Edwards says school funding doesn’t match the state’s short-term goals -- like boosting kindergarten readiness by 20 percent, in two years.
“This budget isn’t going to get us there. It’s not. I just don’t want someone to get scapegoated in all this.”
Chief Education Officer Rudy Crew says the goals are meant to push schools, not punish them.
“Let’s put a lot more will into it, let’s put a lot more development of skill into it and I think we’ll come far better ahead. And if you asked ‘what does that number look like?’ -- to be perfectly honest with you, it’s a guess.”
A teachers’ union official supported the proposed network -- but didn’t weigh in on funding.
