Oregon has one of the worst public education systems in the nation. In 2011, only 67 percent of Oregon students graduated from high school within four years, and only 70 percent within five. In the state, 69 percent of the class of 2013 graduated with a diploma, compared to 81 percent nationally. Forty-seven other states rank higher than Oregon when it comes to graduation rates, and the state has had a saddening length of performance, ranking 43rd for overall performance. This lack of educational achievement is not only seen in high schoolers, but in younger grades as well. In 2015, only 37 percent of fourth grade students were proficient in math, and only 34 percent were proficient in reading. This may not come as a surprise if people knew Oregon students lose almost a year of education when class times and school years are compared to national averages. The state of Massachusetts–who has one of the best graduation rates and per-pupil funding in the nation–spends on average $15,000 per-pupil. Comparatively, Oregon spends just under $10,000 per-pupil. The facts above are meant to highlight a big issue that needs to be addressed in the state of Oregon, and that is the lack of proper school funding in the state for its students.
Overall, Oregon public K–12 schools obtain 46 percent of their funding from state revenue (income tax), 45 percent from local revenues (property tax), and nine percent from federal revenue. Income inequality is prevalent in the state, leaving many lower income districts without proper funding. This is due to the little amount of property taxes that districts can accumulate, as well as having such a high proportion of school funding derived from property taxes. Wealthier districts are better off under the state’s funding distribution because of the bevy of property taxes they can amass, leading to more funding and resources. Oregon is also largely dependent on personal income taxes to fund the government, accounting for 84 percent of revenues in the last two years. That makes Oregon susceptible to economic recessions than states relying on a combination of taxes, including sales taxes. Instead of using a sales tax, which the state has vehemently opposed nine out of the last ten times, it has turned to lottery funds to makeup that deficit. Lottery funds account for 10% of Oregon’s overall budget, with 40% of all lottery funds going to K-12 school funding. Oregon’s reliance on such a fluctuating source of income makes the state vulnerable to school funding gaps, which the state has seen time and again.
We are proposing a legally binding mandate to tax 25 percent of all recreational Marijuana sales in the state of Oregon. All the revenue from which this proposed mandate will provide will be directed toward school funding. We believe that this mandate is a stepping stone that will benefit school funding and hopefully pave the way for better proposals to come. Now is the time for change for students of the public education system of Oregon, and better funding with this mandate is the key for that change.
Increasing the funding per student to 10% has the potential for real results to include:
Increased Graduation Rates
Oregon currently ranks 43rd in students who complete K-12 education
Of those who start High School, only 67% finish within a 4 year time period.
By increasing funding per student, students will be more likely to pursue an education and contribute back to society in their chosen field.
Increased Quality of Schooling in Lower-Income Areas
As of now, Oregon relies heavily on local-income tax to fund K-12 education.
By adjusting the budget, Oregon can help raise the bar when it comes to the standard of facilities and systems used for K-12 education.
Lower Crime Rates
Drug abuse and theft are among the many crimes that plague the State of Oregon.
By allowing students to pursue an education, we can brighten the lives of generations to come through providing more options than would otherwise be available.