Agency Milestones

Home > About Us > Oregon Department of Education History > Agency Milestones

1859
Oregon's State Constitution established a system of common schools, and designated the governor as Superintendent of Public Instruction with the provision that after five years the Legislative Assembly would be allowed to create an independent office for this purpose.

1872
A law was enacted which designated the Superintendent of Public Instruction as a four- year position, and designated a salary and provided office space in the state capital.

1872
Establishment of the State Board of Education.

1887
Superintendent of Public Instruction, in conjunction with the Board of Education, was deemed the final arbiter of all questions and disputes concerning the interpretation of school laws.

1899
The Legislative Assembly rewrote the school laws and gave additional duties and responsibilities to the superintendent. The new law created various boards and commissions to supervise programs and advise on special educational concerns.

1899
Oregon required a State Board of Examiners to create questions for all state teacher certification tests.

1899
Creation of the state Board of Textbook Commissioners.

1905
State Board of Examiners abolished.

1905
The Superintendent was made responsible for preparing examination questions, prescribing uniform rules for conducting examinations, and providing blank certificates of graduation to county superintendents.

1911
The Superintendent was given the power to grant and revoke teacher certification, and the State Board of Education began overseeing an appeal process concerning the granting and revoking certification.

1919
Creation of the State Board for Vocational Education.

1919
Appointment of a committee to investigate how schools promote physical exercise and training. Also, physical education courses became mandatory for public school students.

1925
Superintendent given the duty to supervise the physical examination of elementary school students to discover problems with vision, hearing, etc.

1925
Commission of Americanization established to Americanize Oregon's immigrant population.

1932
Jurisdiction of state universities and colleges were transferred to the State Board of Higher Education.

1939
The Superintendent gained the power to disburse and administer all funds made available from the federal government for educational purposes in Oregon.

1941
State Board for Vocational Education joined the Board of Education as a division.

1947
Creation of the Basic School Support Fund, which guaranteed each school district, a minimum level of state support as well as extra funds for transportation and special programs. The superintendent could deny funds to school districts that did not meet state standards for school buildings, staff, organization and curriculum.

1947
The Superintendent was also appointed to the Educational Agency for Surplus Property in 1947. This agency acquired surplus property by donation or purchase from the federal government and provided it to tax supported or non-profit private educational institutions.

1951
The Legislative Assembly created the Oregon State Board of Education.

1951
The Legislative Assembly dictated that the state's Department of Education would be the central agency responsible for the general educational activities.

1951
The State Board of Education reorganized, removing the state's Governor and the Secretary of State from the Board of Education and having it consist of seven elected board members.

1953
Power of State Board of Textbook Examiners limited, due to a requirement to submit multiple list of textbooks from which the Board of Education could choose.

1958
Federal National Defense Education Act.

1959
Statutory authority for the Commission of Education was repealed.

1963
Federal Vocational Education Act

1964
Federal Economic Opportunity Act

1965
Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act

1981
Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act

1987
The Legislative Assembly established funding to encourage school districts to develop educational goals and assess progress toward those goals.

1989
The Legislative Assembly authorized school districts to restructure their educational programs and services to better meet new goals.

1990
Passage of Oregon's Measure 5. Measure 5 required that strict limitations be placed on school funding through property taxes with the difference to be made up from state general fund money.

1991
The Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. Introduction of Certificate of Initial Mastery and a Certificate of Advanced Mastery.

1995
State Legislature revised the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century, requiring students to achieve a certain standard of performance on the state tests for the Certificates of Initial Mastery and Advanced Mastery.

1999
House Bill 3186 called for an update of common curriculum goals to meet rigorous academic standards, with relevant assessment methods to determine student's knowledge and skills. Criteria were determined for the Certificates of Initial Mastery and Advanced Mastery.

1999
The Project Success for Oregon's Educational Future program was established, to take recommendations to improve the environment that impacts student learning, conduct, advancement, safety and participation.

1999
Creation of public charter schools.

2002
Federal No Child Left Behind Act was enacted as an effort to improve academic performance and success for all students.

2003
Charter schools were allowed to participate in the Certificates of Initial Mastery and Advanced Mastery programs.

2005
Senate Bill 364 created the Workforce 2005 Task Force to examine career and professional technical education in grades 7 through 12 and higher education to integrate education with workforce and economic development.

2006
Oregon Department of Education adopts a computer-based student assessment test.

2008
Oregon Department of Education rolls out Statewide Data System geared toward improved instruction and student achievement.

2008
State Board of Education adopts new high school diploma and graduation requirements to replace the Certificates of Initial Mastery and Advanced Mastery programs.

Contacts