Oregon’s Opportunity: More Funding, Less Bureaucracy, Better Schools
As the federal government shifts more control of education policy back to the states, Oregon has a critical opportunity to take ownership of its schools and make real improvements where Washington has failed. For decades, federal education programs have come with a price—layers of bureaucracy that absorb precious resources before they ever reach students. If Oregon were to receive the same level of education funding but without the inefficiencies of the U.S. Department of Education, we could significantly increase the dollars making it into classrooms, boosting student success.
The Problem: Too Many Middlemen, Not Enough Results
Oregon ranks near the bottom nationally in K-12 education performance, with low graduation rates, poor test scores, and persistent achievement gaps. While education spending has increased, student outcomes haven’t. A major reason is that a significant portion of federal education dollars never makes it to the classroom. Estimates suggest that as little as 20 cents of every federal education dollar directly benefits students, with the rest lost to bureaucracy, compliance costs, and administrative overhead.
Eliminating the federal Department of Education wouldn’t mean losing funding—it would mean getting more out of the funding we already have. Instead of sending tax dollars to Washington, only for a fraction to trickle back down after being siphoned through layers of federal agencies, Oregon could receive those funds directly, maximizing their impact in the classroom.
A More Effective Education System
With greater control over education funding and policies, Oregon could refocus on what truly matters—ensuring students graduate with the skills they need to succeed. Some key areas for reform include:
More Dollars in the Classroom: Cutting federal bureaucracy means more money for teachers, classroom resources, and student programs. Instead of spending education funds on compliance paperwork, Oregon could invest directly in students.
Academic Rigor Over Politics: Education should prioritize core subjects—math, reading, science, and civics—over ideological trends. Oregon can ensure that curriculum decisions focus on academic excellence rather than external mandates.
School Choice and Innovation: With more control over funding, Oregon can expand charter schools, open enrollment, and vocational training programs, giving parents and students more options while driving competition and performance improvements across all schools.
Accountability in Spending: Oregon already spends more per student than many states with better results. By eliminating wasteful administrative costs tied to federal programs, we can ensure every dollar is used effectivelyto support learning.
Reclaiming Education for Oregon
Ending the federal Department of Education wouldn’t mean abandoning public education—it would mean liberating it from Washington’s inefficiencies. Oregon’s schools should be accountable to local communities, parents, and educators—not federal bureaucrats.
For too long, states have relied on federal funding tied to mandates that don’t reflect local needs. This decentralization isn’t a partisan issue—it’s an opportunity for Oregon to take responsibility for its own educational future. By cutting the middleman and directing more money where it belongs, Oregon can rise from the bottom of the national rankings and build an education system that truly prepares students for success.
Now is the time to act—not by waiting for Washington to fix our schools, but by reclaiming the resources and authority to do it ourselves.