Opinion
A4
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
OUR VIEW
Will graduation
requirement
changes make
things bett er?
O
regon’s high school graduation rates
may be moving in a better direction,
but many minority students continue to
struggle to graduate.
Oregon could target more support to minority
students. It could change the graduation
requirements.
This week the Oregon Department of Educa-
tion released recommendations for changes to
graduation requirements.
For some, it’s going to look like Oregon is
dumbing down. For others, Oregon is going to be
making necessary changes to interrupt disparities
in education.
Some testing would be gone, permanently,
under the recommendations.
The proposal is to eliminate the requirement
for students to take a test to demonstrate profi -
ciency in math, reading and writing. Students
would be required to continue to demonstrate
those profi ciencies in courses.
A test is viewed by some as an unnecessary
barrier to graduation. Many states no longer
require them. It is not clear whether tests help stu-
dents prepare for life after high school, the report
says.
Next up, the math requirement would be
changed.
The current math requirement is for one credit
of Algebra 1 and two credits beyond Algebra 1.
The proposal keeps the three-credit requirement
but eliminates the requirement for Algebra 1.
The reason given is it gives districts more
fl exibility. It may lead to math classes that more
clearly refl ect practical applications for math that
students will encounter in their lives. Algebra 1 is
also one of the most repeated courses by students.
And that limits what other courses they can take
in high school.
A new requirement that would be added has
elements of fi nancial literacy and future planning.
It would be a one-credit course that would include
things like fi nancial planning, interviewing and
completing applications for jobs and post-sec-
ondary education.
Some students get plenty of support at home to
do such things. Others do not.
There are more. And the report also has infor-
mation comparing education in Oregon and other
states and looking at the causes of disparities.
You can read the report yourself here, tinyurl.
com/ORgraduation.
What do you think? Tell your legislator. They
are the ones who may be voting on some of these
proposals.
EDITORIALS
Unsigned editorials are the opinion of The Observer editorial board.
Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions
of the authors and not necessarily that of The Observer.
OTHER VIEWS
City must do something about
hazardous 16th Street
It was a sad day when a young person lost their life on
16th Street. Public works needs to do something about
the condition of 16th Street. It is a busy connecting road
to Gekeler. There are many bikers, runners and walkers
(myself included). It is diffi cult to walk along as the very
tall weeds forces one to walk on the pavement that has
holes, drop-off s, etc. It needs to be repaved as soon as
possible. It has to be one of the worst in the city. For
today, at least get the noxious weeds chopped down for
the people using the road.
Diana Asher
La Grande
LG should spend money
on bolstering sense of community
In response to the editorial calling for ideas for the $3
million La Grande is set to receive from the American
Rescue Plan, here’s mine:
Spend it working on our security, which benefi ts all.
Start by convening a circle of citizens for multiple delib-
erative sessions where open questions are asked, lis-
tening is a priority, power is shared and people have the
freedom to document successes, suggest new views and
new questions and address confl icts. Set up a process
that is diff erent than choosing from canned alternatives
or voting on priorities.
For example, two security risks, deeply injurious to
a sense of community, have been highlighted by recent
news in Eastern Oregon:
U.S. PRESIDENT
Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
1) Decades of increasing mass shootings highlight the
risk from alienated young men with guns and the glori-
fi cation of anger and violence they fi nd on the internet.
What works, what can be done to give people a positive
sense of contribution and community?
2) The increasing size and weight of cars and pickups,
along with the attitudes of many drivers, increases the
risk of traffi c injuries and fatalities. What works, what
can be done to reduce these risks?
In addition, there are risks from fi re, heat, smoke,
fl ood and drought. A deliberative process can enlist peo-
ple’s wisdom and creativity.
Peter Donovan
La Grande
U.S. SENATORS
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Offi ce Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
La Grande offi ce: 541-962-7691
Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
503-378-4582
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Offi ce Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753
Pendleton offi ce: 541-278-1129
Cliff Bentz
2185 Rayburn House Offi ce Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6730
Medford offi ce: 541-776-4646
STATE REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR
Bobby Levy, District 58
900 Court St. NE, H-376
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1458
Rep.BobbyLevy@state.or.us
STATE SENATOR
Greg Smith, District 57
900 Court St. NE, H-482
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1457
Rep.GregSmith@state.or.us
Bill Hansell, District 29
900 Court St. NE, S-415
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1729
Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us
STAFF
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