OUR VOICES OUR SCHOOLS - The Chalkboard Project

OUR
VOICES
OUR
SCHOOLS
2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians
OpenBooksProject.org I ChalkboardProject.org
Chalkboard Project I 221 NW Second Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 I 1-877-YOURK12 I info@chalkboardproject.org
CHALKBOARD PROJECT

In 2004, the Chalkboard Project
was formed by Oregon’s most
influential charitable foundations
with a mission to make our K-12
schools among the nation’s top 10 in
student achievement. Our researchbased
approach, non-partisan
action plan, and early results in pilot
projects across the state recently led
the Statesman Journal to endorse
Chalkboard as “the best, clearest
path for improving K-12 schools.”
We’re on our way.
But we can’t do it without you.
Speak out for change.

Oregonians are independent by nature, yet often share core values.
Foundations for a Better Oregon, Chalkboard’s parent organization, was
formed with a desire to preserve the quality of life Oregonians value.
There has never been a more important time to focus on improving Oregon’s
K-12 public education system to assure student achievement and support
high-quality teaching and learning. Chalkboard began as an effort to hear
directly from Oregonians. Now, our collaboration and commitment have
grown in order to ensure Oregon ranks as one of the top 10 education
systems in the United States.
The Chalkboard Project provides a unique opportunity to support
achievement for all Oregon students. We welcome you into Chalkboard’s
story and invite your involvement in 2009.
Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes, Board Chair
Dear Fellow Oregonians,
Since Chalkboard’s inception in 2004, we have witnessed the powerful effect an
independent voice can have in raising key issues for Oregon’s public schools. By
commissioning unbiased research and comprehensive public opinion studies,
Chalkboard has raised the bar about what we know about K-12 education—all
while listening and learning from those on the front lines. But we see even more
urgency today than we did when we first formed.
Among the 50 states, Oregon is currently about average in terms of student
achievement. When it comes to the big issues, we have a policy process that is
largely broken. Oregon has a record of pushing for increased funding while
failing to recognize the quality we want and the accountability we need.
Chalkboard’s evidence has brought us to a crossroads:
Does Oregon continue to be satisfied with the status quo
or do we invest in interventions that are proven to increase
student achievement?
If we choose the latter, then now is the time to invest in K-1 class size reduction.
Now is the time to inspire teachers to stay in the professional by expanding
career opportunities. Now is the time to make reading tutors available to K-3
students. Now is the time to shrink the achievement gap and ensure that every
child is afforded an equal playing field of quality to define their future. Now is
the time. Oregon cannot afford to wait.
The six foundations behind Chalkboard have given Oregon a unique gift—
nothing else quite like it exists in this country. We must use this opportunity to
increase student achievement and make the future better for our children. We
must make a promise to every child in this state that their public school education
will be high quality, accountable for their learning, and paid for in a stable and
adequate way. It is certainly the promise I want for my baby girl.
Chalkboard has identified a proven path to get us there. We need your help. We
can only make change with the support of a growing chorus of voices across
this state who wish for something better and who have the will to make it happen.
Sue Hildick, President

Speak Out for Change
Chalkboard was founded with a goal of not just improving K-12 education in
Oregon, but making our public schools among the nation’s top 10 in student
achievement. We conducted the largest statewide poll ever done on K-12
education issues. We published reports on best practices for raising student
achievement. We issued an Action Plan for reaching our legislative goals. But
despite Chalkboard’s progress, the situation has only become more urgent.
Oregon has one of the most unstable school
funding systems in the country. But even with
adequate, secure funding, the public is skeptical
about whether the state is capable of improving
our schools. High teacher turnover, increased
dropout rates and a persistent achievement gap
between minority students and their peers are
just a few of the challenges Oregon must meet
to be one of the best.
Here’s the good news:
Chalkboard is committed to the long-term
goal of raising student achievement in
Oregon, and we have learned how to get
the job done.
What makes Chalkboard unique? Funded by
six of Oregon’s most influential charitable
foundations, we decided early on that our
approach would be committed to neutrality and
independence. We are not a special interest
group but a general interest group representing
all Oregonians.
Oregonians have voiced the most urgent
priorities for strengthening our schools: quality
teachers, good readers, parental involvement,
funding stability and budget accountability.
These priorities are the foundation for
Chalkboard’s work in advocating for legislation,
funding grants and financing quality independent
projects. By combining the spirit, values and
beliefs of Oregonians with the hard data of the
most relevant research, we are on the right path
to raising student achievement and
improving K-12 public education in Oregon.
Better schools mean a better-educated
workforce, better jobs and a thriving economy.
The result is lower crime rates, stronger
communities and improved quality of life for all.
As relentless and passionate as we are about
moving our agenda forward, we can’t do it
without you. Chalkboard is lighting the way.
Now it’s your turn. It’s time to use your voice
in support of the kind of K-12 schools our
communities deserve.

Chalkboard’s History
For years, Oregon’s most influential foundations had been spending
millions on education reform by fighting individual battles with isolated
results. Frustrated by the slow pace of change that failed to impact the
system statewide, they decided to come together to form an independent,
nonpartisan, charitable organization for Oregon schools. The Chalkboard
Project was founded in 2004 on the idea of a bottoms-up, grassroots
engagement with Oregonians to raise student achievement in grades K-12.
In its first two years, Chalkboard collected data
nationally and internationally on best practices
in raising student achievement. We had over
400 conversations with citizens in every one
of Oregon’s 36 counties to learn what
priorities they have for Oregon schools. Our
independent approach won over skeptical
editorial boards across the state, and our
June 2005 Action Plan emerged from this
intersection of public will and best practices.
Chalkboard’s work continues on three fronts—
advocacy, independent projects and public
education—to promote teacher quality,
accountability, early learning and parental
involvement. We have created quality tools, like
Open Books, to better inform the public about
exactly what’s going on in Oregon schools
and how education dollars are being spent.
We are committed to tackling the difficult,
often-contentious work of education reform
and confronting the system’s most deeply
rooted problems head on. Our goal is to be the
voice of Oregonians, to advocate for higher
student achievement in K-12 education on your
behalf, and to help facilitate the urgent change
you demand for our children and for our state.
Chalkboard’s Founders
The Chalkboard Project was created in March
2004 by five independent, nonpartisan Oregon
foundations called Foundations for a Better
Oregon. Founding members are The Collins
Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, The
JELD-WEN Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust
and The Oregon Community Foundation.
The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
joined in 2007.
Chalkboard is Foundations for a Better Oregon’s
only current initiative. The foundations are
committed to neutrality and independence, a
comprehensive understanding of the problems
and solutions surrounding our K-12 public
schools, engaging Oregonians in genuine
dialogue, a long-term perspective, and
ultimately facilitating solutions.
2008-2009 Education Report to OregonianS I 7

PEAK OUT for
TEACHERS
One of the biggest challenges facing our schools is that Oregon loses more than
a third of our new teachers within the first five years. Research clearly states that
teaching quality is the most effective and efficient way to boost student achievement.
On average, students taught by our most effective teachers
are up to one grade level ahead of their peers academically.
75% of Oregonians say the best system for teacher career enhancement
supports new roles and responsibilities for being leaders and mentors, developing
skills, and staying current on the newest teaching methods—not just seniority.
What Is Chalkboard Doing About It?
Independent Projects
Chalkboard launched the Creative Leadership Achieves Student Success (CLASS)
Project, a pilot program driven by teachers in Forest Grove, Sherwood and
Tillamook school districts to raise student achievement by expanding new career
and compensation options for teachers. Local staff call CLASS “transformational”
because it promotes expanded career paths, professional development, more
comprehensive performance evaluations, and new compensation models.
Advocacy
In 2007, Chalkboard and partners worked to enact a $5 million Statewide
Mentoring Program to provide new teachers and administrators with a highquality
mentor for two years. Chalkboard will pursue quality professional
development and support for the teacher and administrator mentoring program
to be continued in the 2009 Legislature. Chalkboard applauds the State Board
for making Educator Quality one of their six strategic priorities and for adopting
quality standards for professional development.
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What Can You Do
About It?
Take 9 minutes to watch
a YouTube video about
how the CLASS project
could transform the teaching
profession.
Contact your local
teacher/administrator
Say thanks for all they do for
Oregon’s kids, ask how you
can help in the classroom or
support the school.
Contact your state
representatives and tell
them you support teacher/
administrator mentoring and
professional development.
JOIN Chalkboard’s
Citizens’ CorpS and serve
as a community ambassador
to support your teachers and
encourage them to stick with
the profession.
TEACHER Advocate: Terrel Smith & Jennica Smith
Sherwood Teachers Union President Terrel Smith has been committed
to raising student achievement as a teacher for 30 years. roles and responsibilities.
motivates mid-career teachers by compensating them for new
His pivotal role in developing the CLASS Project is inspired in
part by his daughter, Jennica, a second year elementary teacher. “The most effective teachers are heavily involved in the school.
They are raising student achievement.”
Teaching is a challenging profession especially the first few
years. The CLASS Project supports teachers by accelerating their “By focusing on working together as professional teams of
pay and increasing professional learning opportunities so that teachers, we’re identifying effective practices and then replicating
them throughout the district to increase every student’s suc-
young teachers will stay in the profession. Sherwood’s proposed
compensation model rewards young teachers with an additional cess. Our ultimate intention is that teachers are excited about
skip up the salary ladder after the probation period.Skip-step teaching and our kids are excited about learning.”
8 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

PEAK OUT for
K-1 LEARNING
Chalkboard’s research has found very few gold standards when it comes to
improving student achievement. However, focusing on our earliest learners —
those children just entering the school system— is one consistently proven
method for raising the bar.
Oregon’s K-1 classes average 25 students and are among
the top five largest in the country.
What Can You Do
About It?
Tennessee and other states have shown that kindergarten and first grade
students in small classes of 15 outperformed their peers in regular classes of
22. More importantly, those gains persisted through eighth grade. Targeted
investments in critical early age initiatives are particularly important in
tackling the achievement gap between Black and White students. Chalkboard’s
research shows that the gap is relatively unchanged from third grade to
graduation, suggesting that Black and White students are learning at the
same pace. Schools must reach these children by third grade.
What Is Chalkboard Doing About It?
Advocacy
In 2007, state legislators included early childhood initiatives as an approved
use for a $260 million school improvement fund. Chalkboard will continue to
advocate research and best practices by reducing k-1 class size and provide
reading support so all kids read by grade 3.
Independent Projects
Chalkboard is investigating African American student achievement in
Multnomah County in partnership with the Black Parent Initiative to see
which schools are doing the best job of closing the achievement gap.
Next up: Hispanic student achievement statewide.
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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
SCHOOL BOARD members,
administrators and union
representatives and tell them
you want your children and
grandchildren in grades K-1
to have smaller class sizes.
Email your elected
officials and let them
know you support smaller
K-1 classes.
Take Chalkboard’s latest
public opinion survey
and voice your views about
K-1 class size at our web site,
ChalkboardProject.org
Visit OUR WEB SITE
ChalkboardProject.org
for the latest legislative
updates on the K-1 class size
initiative.
Education Advocate: Eduardo Angulo
Woodburn parent Eduardo Angulo is a longtime education
advocate. Back in Los Angeles, he worked in juvenile probation
camps and with gang-affected youth in the volatile Watts district.
“When I came to Oregon fifteen years ago, I started asking, ‘How
many Latino and Black kids are going to college?’ It was horrible.
I knew we had to do something about it right away.”
Latino students were doing particularly poorly in Eduardo’s
Salem-Keizer school district, where only 20 percent of Latino
students in tenth grade met state standards in reading in 2005,
compared to 53 percent of White students. Eduardo helped
found the Salem-Keizer Coalition of Equality, a community
group that promotes equality in education. The coalition has
fought for smaller kindergarten and first grade classes so
teachers can give more personalized attention to students.
“The majority of poor and Latino students come into
kindergarten one, two or even three years behind. They need a
lot of extra help at the beginning. If we can get kids up to grade
level by third grade, we can eliminate half of the achievement
gap and dropout rate.”
10 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

PEAK OUT for
LITERACY
According to one national measure, only about one-third of Oregon fourth
graders are proficient at reading. What’s more, studies reveal that if children can’t
read by the end of third grade, they are more likely to drop out of school, struggle
with reading as adults and be less successfully employed.
Tutored students read more proficiently than
approximately 75 percent of their untutored peers.
Oregonians are alarmed that schools are failing to provide students with
the most basic tool for success. Most say we must provide tutors for K-3
students who aren’t reading at grade level to raise student achievement.
In August 2008, Chalkboard commissioned new research that underscores
the urgency of solving the reading crisis in Oregon. It showed
that low-achieving students are unlikely to ever meet state standards,
even though they are often the ones making the biggest learning gains
in school. By ensuring that all Oregon students are proficient readers by
fourth grade, we are building a case for future success.
What Is Chalkboard Doing About It?
Advocacy
In 2007, the Oregon legislature put reading tutors on the list of initiatives
school districts could undertake with $260 million in school improvement
money. Chalkboard will ask that reading tutors be a district requirement.
GRANTS
In partnership with Libraries of Eastern Oregon and Tutor.com, Chalkboard
is providing free online tutors to K-12 students. The service is available at
51 eastern Oregon libraries and online at LibrariesofEasternOregon.org.
What Can You Do
About It?
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Find out if the littlest
learners in your life —
children, grandchildren,
nephews and neighbors in
grades K-3—are reading at
grade level. If not, offer to read
with them one-on-one for an
hour each week.
Contact your local
school administrators
and let them know you support
additional reading tutors for
grades K-3.
Contact SMART
(Start Making a Reader Today)
at GetSmartOregon.org and
volunteer to read with students
at your local school.
Purchase books from the
SMART bookshelf at Powells.com.
A portion of the proceeds will
be donated to SMART.
STUDENT ADVOCATE:
Shereé Bull
Shereé Bull is a senior at
Portland’s Jefferson High School.
She is president of the Black
Student Union, vice president of
the student body and takes
additional classes at Portland
Community College. But despite
her own academic success, it’s
been disheartening to watch her
peers fall behind over the years.
“Kids can get swept away in a
corner when they’re not doing
well in school, but we all have
potential. When kids fall through
the cracks, it means our
teachers have to teach students
who are at different levels.
If those kids got help early on,
that wouldn’t happen.”
12 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

PEAK OUT for
PARENTS
While most Oregon parents want to participate in their child’s education, work
schedules, financial pressure, and language and cultural barriers often stand in the
way. The result is a growing sentiment of distrust between schools and parents.
The biggest obstacle to the success of K-12 schools is a
lack of parental support.
What Can You Do
About It?
Chalkboard is committed to working with Oregon school districts to facilitate
the most effective ways to involve parents. This means realistic assistance
for hard-to-reach families and user-friendly resources to ensure that all parents
know what to expect from their schools, what their children should be
learning, and how they can help get them there.
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Offer to babysit for
neighbors, coworkers or other
time-strapped single parents
so they can attend their next
parent-teacher conference,
PTA meeting or school event.
What Is Chalkboard Doing About It?
ADVOCACY
Chalkboard wants each school district to report parental involvement as
part of Oregon’s statewide report card.
Independent Projects
Chalkboard’s Running Start is a set of online materials, including outreach
plans, aimed at facilitating communication between schools and parents.
Chalkboard partnered with Libraries of Eastern Oregon and Tutor.com to
provide free online tutoring services to K-12 students.
Chalkboard’s technology grants help fund software that enables parents and
teachers to communicate through the Internet. Parents have instant access to
attendance records, homework assignments, test scores, grades and more.
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If you are an employer,
allow workers occasional time
during the work day to attend
school conferences or
volunteer at their children’s
schools, or check their child’s
progress on the school web site.
If you are bilingual,
volunteer to be a translator for
parent-teacher conferences at
schools in your area.
PARENT: Annette Hunt & Troi Hunt
Annette Hunt is a single parent living in the Portland metro
area. Today, she is studying to become an accountant while
supporting and raising her twelve-year-old daughter, Troi.
But the path to get here wasn’t easy.
As a child, Annette never knew what it was like to have an adult
care about how she did in school. Her grades suffered, she
dropped out before graduation, and eventually landed in prison.
It turned out to be the wake-up call she needed.
Annette fought hard to stabilize her life following her release.
After her daughter was born, she passed the GED and made a
point to become actively involved in Troi’s education.
“Do I have a right to complain if I’m not involved and others are
making the decisions?” she says. “It makes a world of difference
for her to know people care about whether or not she’s smart.”
Annette meets her daughter after school most days so they
can do their homework together. She also checks in with Troi’s
teacher twice a week to help her stay on track. And it’s working.
Now Troi tells her mom she wants to go to college, too.
14 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

PEAK OUT for
EFFICIENCY
Oregonians want better schools, but Chalkboard’s research tells us they don’t think
a blank check is the answer. Currently, half of the state’s General Fund is spent on
K-12 education, but more than 40 percent of Oregonians don’t believe schools are
spending their money efficiently.
Are you getting your money’s worth?
Oregon has one of the most unstable school funding systems in the country.
When schools do get additional resources, as with the $260 million school
improvement fund in 2007, the state is inclined to pass accountability on to
local districts. Oregonians want stronger state leadership and statewide
accountability. Chalkboard launched the OpenBooks website to help
Oregonians see where their dollars go. Scholastic Administrator called it
“one of the top 10 radical ideas at work in education.”
What Is Chalkboard Doing About It?
Independent Projects
Open Books, openbooksproject.org, reveals up-to-date school district spending
on everything from average class sizes and test scores to food services and
per-student expenses for Oregon’s 198 school districts.
Statewide spending on district business operations is higher than the national
average. Chalkboard partnered with the Oregon Association of School
Business Officials to review business operations in five Oregon school districts.
Advocacy
Chalkboard helped create Oregon’s first-ever rainy day fund for public schools
supported by Oregon’s corporate kicker tax refund, and will continue to push
for more revenue. Chalkboard will advocate to reform school transportation
spending based on an Oregon Dept, of Education study of our current system.
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What Can You Do
About It?
Visit Open Books –
OpenBooksProject.org and
see for yourself how Oregon’s
school dollars are being spent.
Check out how your
community’s school spending
compares to other districts
in the state.
Email state legislators
and ask them to support
best business practice reviews
as well as a process for sharing
best practices across the state.
Contact your local
school board members,
administrators and union
representatives and tell them
that evaluation of student
performance should be based
on academic growth from year
to year rather than test scores.
BOARD MEMBER: Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes
Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes is a Chalkboard board member and
trustee of the Meyer Memorial Trust. Having earned her PhD
in educational policy, she has seen how school districts
nationwide can benefit from increased budget accountability.
“It’s what we need to retain and attract the best teachers and
sustain ongoing improvements in education.”
Orcilia oversaw Chalkboard’s first step toward improved budget
transparency for Oregon schools: The Open Books Project.
“Traditionally, very few people have had access to school budget
and achievement information. But Open Books has changed
that. We are making improvements while recognizing that
funding and accountability go hand in hand.”
“It’s our responsibility to track attendance, graduation rates
and academic growth not only so we can see how students are
doing across the board, but so we can understand how every
individual student moves along the path toward graduation.”
16 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

PEAK OUT for
OUR SCHOOLS
Now is the time for Oregonians to speak out in support of raising student achievement
in K-12 public education. This isn’t simply about people who have kids in school–it’s
about all of us, and about Oregon’s future. Chalkboard has made real progress, but
the job is too big for any one organization to take on alone.
Chalkboard can get us there. But not without your help.
Join our Citizens’ Corps and use your voice to support
Oregon schools.
What Is Chalkboard’s Citizens’ Corps?
A 500-plus strong group of concerned citizens around the state of
Oregon who support Chalkboard’s long-term K-12 education reform
efforts. Volunteers include parents, teachers, businesspeople, civic
volunteers and leaders, retirees, philanthropists and students from nearly
all of Oregon’s 36 counties.
What Does the Citizens’ Corps Do?
Members help promote Chalkboard’s school improvement proposals in
their local communities through speaking engagements, guest columns
and letters in local newspapers, participation in Chalkboard print
advertising, and calling, writing and meeting with legislators. The
Citizens’ Corps is our eyes and ears in local communities, and we rely
on our members to keep us aware of local opportunities to connect
and inform fellow citizens. Members do not do any fundraising.
How Can I Join?
You can join by emailing us at info@ChalkboardProject.org, calling us
at 1-877-YOURK12, or by visiting our web site: ChalkboardProject.org.
We’ll send you the latest edition of Chalk Talk and include you in our
growing list of supporters.
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5 Ways to Take
5 Minutes to Speak
Out for Change
Sign up for our monthly
e-newsletter, Chalk Talk,
at ChalkboardProject.org.
Send a group email to
your Oregon friends and
family members introducing
them to the Chalkboard
Project. Include a link to
ChalkboardProject.org
Take our latest public
opinion survey at
ChalkboardProject.org.
Fill out the attached
postcard and become a
member of Chalkboard’s
Citizens’ Corps.
Pass this report on to
a local parent, teacher,
principal or elected official
with your endorsement.
CITIZEN CORPS
MEMBER:
Steve Corey
Pendleton businessman Steve
Corey has been an active member
of Chalkboard’s Citizens’ Corps
since 2004. As Chair of the board
of The Oregon Community
Foundation (OCF), Steve was an
integral part of the leadership
council that led to the founding
of Chalkboard.
“Education has always been
number one on OCF’s list of
priorities for Oregon. That’s why
Chalkboard is one of the most
valuable investments OCF has
made. I want to make sure that
people at the grassroots level know
how important education is—not
only for their own families but also
for the community. Strong schools
mean a better economy and a
better community for all of us.”
18 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

UR RESEARCH
AT A GLANCE
Student Achievement
71% of Oregonians say the amount of progress students
make individually from year to year is the best indicator
of school district success—not test scores.
What It Means: Don’t believe everything you read.
Schools that receive low ratings may in fact be
achieving the greatest learning gains. Ask your children’s
teachers about academic progress from year to year,
not how well they scored on standardized tests.
Class Size
70% say reducing class sizes for kindergarten and first
grade to 20 students or less is the most urgent priority
for improving public education.
What It Means: There is no evidence that smaller class
sizes across all grades will increase academic
achievement. But in kindergarten and first grade, smaller
classes have been proven to raise achievement long
term. We need to demand that our education dollars go
toward targeted initiatives we know will work.
Parental Support
70% of Oregonians say lack of parental support is the
biggest obstacle for the success of schools.
What It Means: Our schools can’t do it alone.
Oregon’s employers and local communities must
support parents—especially single parents—in becoming
active participants in their children’s education.
Teachers
59% of Oregonians say teachers should be
compensated for becoming leaders and mentors,
developing their skills, and staying current on the
newest teaching methods—not seniority.
What It Means: Oregonians should insist that local
schools mentor new teachers while exploring new
career opportunities and compensation models to
inspire them to stick with the profession.
Reading Tutors
65% say providing a reading tutor for every student in
kindergarten through third grade who is not reading at
their grade level is an urgent priority.
What It Means: It is much easier—and more costeffective—to
move the achievement dial for a K-3 child.
As a student reaches middle and high school, it
becomes more difficult and more expensive to recover.
Achievement Gap
Black students score about 1.5 grades below White
students in academic achievement. The achievement
gap is constant from third through tenth grades.
What It Means: The kids who need the most support
are currently locked into low and under-performing
schools. Closing the achievement gap means
leveling the playing field—by providing more one-onone
support—before these kids reach fourth grade.
Board of Directors
The Collins Foundation
Jerry Hudson, Truman Collins
The Ford Family Foundation
Norm Smith, Ron Parker
JELD-WEN Foundation
Bill Early, Bob Kingzett, Rod Wendt
Meyer Memorial Trust
Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes, Doug Stamm
Oregon Community Foundation
Duncan Campbell, Greg Chaillé
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Charles Putney, Charlie Walker
Advisory Council
Morgan Anderson
Education Manager, Intel Corporation
Jerry Colonna
Superintendent, Beaverton School District
Ed Dennis
Deputy Superintendent, Oregon
Department of Education
Vickie Fleming
Superintendent, Redmond School District
Randy Hitz
Dean, Graduate School of Education,
Portland State University
Sandy Husk
Superintendent, Salem-Keizer School District
Dan Jamison
Superintendent, Sherwood School District
Todd Jones
Teacher, West Linn High School
Nori Juba
School Board Member, Bend-La Pine
School District
Jim Mabbott
Superintendent, Northwest Regional
Education Service District
Annette Mattson
Government Affairs/Public Policy, PGE
Ford Morishita
Teacher, Clackamas High School
Karen Phillips
Director, Oregon Small Schools Initiative
Kitty Powell
Regional Director of Innovation, Providence
George Russell
Superintendent, Eugene School District
Deborah Sommer,
Advisory Council Chair,
Superintendent, Canby School District
Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes
Chair, Chalkboard Project
Research
Davis, Hibbitts, & Midghall
ECONorthwest
Additional Funders
ADEC
Bank of the West
The Bend Foundation
Boeing
E.H. & M.E. Bowerman Advised Fund, OCF
Lori and Les Cooper, OCF
Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation
Fred Meyer Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
John Gray Charitable Fund, OCF
Ned and Sis Hayes Family Fund, OCF
Nancy Horstkotte Memorial Fund, OCF
Intel Corporation
Intersection Fund, OCF
Kelley Family Foundation
WK Kellogg Foundation
Mann-Crawford Charitable Fund, OCF
JELD-WEN Tradition Foundation
PGE Foundation
Ann & Bill Swindells Charitable Trust
William Swindells, Sr. Memorial Fund, OCF
Wheeler Foundation
Whipple Foundation Fund, OCF
Woodard Family Foundation
Staff
Sue Hildick
President
Kate Dickson
Vice President, Education Policy
Liesl Wendt
Vice President, External Relations
Kylie Grunow
Project Director
John Hamilton
Finance Specialist
Matthew Kinshella
Communications Associate
CITIZEN
CORPS
MEMBERS
North Coastal
Oregon
Ed Armstrong, Tillamook
Henry Balensifer,
Warrenton
Art Biederman,
Gleneden Beach
Lynne Biederman,
Gleneden Beach
Greg Bosin, Warrenton
Charles Busch,
Lincoln City
Matt Falby, Lincoln City
Michael Foster, Astoria
Doug Hunt, Toldeo
Beth Kintz, Vernonia
Randall Koch, Neskowin
Mark Labhart, Tillamook
Larry Lockett, Astoria
Wayne Martin,
Lincoln City
Doug Montgomery,
Rockaway Beach
Jack Nickerson,
Lincoln City
Margaret Nura Clegg,
Neskowin
Doug Olson, Pacific City
Hal Snow, Astoria
Charlie Walker, Neskowin
Nikki Whitty, Coquille
Portland Metro
Mike Abbate, Fairview
Vicki Abbate, Fairview
Jeff Adams, Portland
Katy Adams, Beaverton
Suzanne Adams, Portland
Morgan Anderson,
Beaverton
Mark Ankeny, Newberg
Anna Arodzero, Tigard
Betty Atteberry, Portland
Sydney Babock,
Lake Oswego
Susan Baker, Portland
Brian Bailey, West Linn
Lou Bailey, Portland
Robyn Barbon, Portland
MaryAnn Barnekoff,
Hillsboro
Phil Barnekoff, Hillsboro
Eric Beasley, Sherwood
George Bell, Lake Oswego
Johnell Bell, Portland
Kris Bella, Gladstone
Chris Blair, Portland
Nik Blosser, Portland
Ralph Bolliger, Portland
Sally Bolliger, Portland
Dawn Bonder, Portland
Bernie Bottomly, Portland
Anne Breyne, West Linn
Steve Brook, Portland
Carly Brown, Portland
Linda Brown, Lake Oswego
Thomas Bruner, Portland
Rep. Scott Bruun, West Linn
Nancy Bryant, Portland
Tamra Busch-Johnsen,
Portland
Duncan Campbell, Portland
Janis Carlson, Hillsboro
Kim Carlson, West Linn
Heidi Carr, West Linn
John Carr, West Linn
Greg Chaillé, Portland
Vickie Chamberlain,
Portland
Kimberly Clarizio,
Milwaukie
Teka Clevidence, Fairview
Truman Collins, Portland
Kim Conner, Estacada
Carol Cooper, Portland
Ken Costa, Clackamas
Dea Cox, West Linn
Debbie Craig, Lake Oswego
Lauren Creany, Portland
Lynn Dagg, Portland
Laurie Davala, Tigard
Steve Davala, Tigard
Tracie Davalos, Clackamas
Jonathan Davies, West Linn
Beth Deal, Beaverton
Erika DeBellis,
Forest Grove
Chris DeMars, Portland
Harry Demorest, Portland
Gun Denhart, Portland
David Dickson, West Linn
Mollie Dickson, West Linn
Chris Didway, Oregon City
Larry Didway, Oregon City
Aaron Doerr, Tualatin
John Donovan, Portland
Maureen Downes, Portland
Bill Drew, Forest Grove
Anna Druse, West Linn
Verne Duncan, Milwaukie
Bill Early, Portland
Jorie Ellis, Lake Oswego
Nate Emhoff, West Linn
John Emrick, Portland
Gary Eppelsheimer,
West Linn
Thomas Erwin, Beaverton
Lisia Farley, Portland
Dick Feeney, Portland
Jennifer Fentress,
Forest Grove
Justin Ferko, Portland
Erin Fitzpatrick-Bjorn,
Gresham
Jeff Fitzpatrick-Bjorn,
Gresham
Lori Flexer, Portland
Rep. Linda Flores,
Clackamas
Bob Fontana, West Linn
Orcilia Zuniga Forbes,
Portland
Mark Frischmuth, Portland
Joyce Furman, Portland
Laurie Garrett, Portland
Geri Gates, Wilsonville
Martha Gaty, Durham
Diane Gauthier, West Linn
Scott Gibson, Portland
Heather Gilroy, Portland
Karen Gray, Portland
Steve Greenwood,
Portland
Tracie Hall, Milwaukie
Jim Harrop, West Linn
Linda Harrop, West Linn
Greg Hawley, Beaverton
Wendy Ramage Hawkins,
Hillsboro
Jim Haynes, Sherwood
Scott Haynes, Sherwood
Kaaren Heikes, Portland
Joe Hertzberg, Portland
Randy Hitz, Portland
Mark Holloway, Portland
Gail Holmes, West Linn
Mitchell Hornecker,
Portland
Clark Hoss, West Linn
Jerry Hudson, Portland
Andy Ipsinga, Portland
Kirbee Johnston, Portland
Chris Jones, West Linn
Todd Jones, West Linn
Cynthia Joy, West Linn
Kevin Joy, West Linn
Mary Jubitz, Portland
Gregg Kantor, Portland
Phil Keisling, Beaverton
Neal Keny-Guyer, Portland
Bert Kile, Tigard
Nicole King, Portland
Shelly King, Portland
Tim King, Clackamas
Jill Kirk, Portland
Mark Klein, Portland
Don Klotter, Portland
Kristin Klotter, Portland
Kurt Koehler, Hillsboro
Amy Kohnstamm, Portland
Donald L. Krahmer, Jr.,
Tigard
Charles Kralovec, Canby
Clem Lausberg, Portland
Donna Libemday, Portland
Blaine Lindsey, Portland
Lynn Loacker, Portland
Amanda Claire Loder
Terry Lomax, Tualatin
Katherine Londos, Portland
Frank Luzaich, Sherwood
Jim Mabbott, Hillsboro
Barbara Mahoney,
Wilsonville
Chris Maier, Portland
Pam Maresh, Milwaukie
Greg Marshall, Hillsboro
Tammy Marshall, Hillsboro
Mike Martyn, Clackamas
Gina Mattioda, Portland
Shannon McBride, West Linn
Charline McDonald,
Portland
Robin McFall, Tigard
Tim McFall, Tigard
Charles McGee, Portland
Jack McGowan, Hillsboro
Jan McGowan, Hillsboro
Mark McKinley, West Linn
Teresa McKinley, West Linn
Cathie Meyer, Portland
Greg Meyer, Portland
Diane Moore, Portland
Sarah Morgan, Clackamas
Ford Morishita, Clackamas
Colin Murray, West Linn
Jessica Murray, West Linn
Jack Musser, Forest Grove
Ron Naso, Milwaukie
Chris Neilsen, Portland
Marci Nemhauser, Tigard
Lisa Nevitt, Portland
Ken Noah, Gresham
Amy Nunn, Portland
Sue O’Halloran, Gresham
Barbara O’Hare-Walker,
Portland
Corrine Oishi, Forest Grove
Jake Oken-Berg, Portland
Nell Oram, Portland
Teresa Osborne, Portland
Keith Ozols, Portland
Bill Parish, Portland
Ron Parker, Portland
Eric Parsons, Portland
Lynn Pass, West Linn
Norma Paulus, Portland
Brian Pearce, West Linn
Pam Pearce, West Linn
Karen Phillips, Portland
Hannah Plant, Clackamas
Lolenzo Poe, Portland
Kitty Powell, Portland
Gerry Pratt, Portland
Dr. Erin Prince,
Lake Oswego
Angela Pritchett, Banks
Chuck Putney, Portland
Tom Quillin, Beaverton
Jonathan Radmacher,
Portland
Sue Raivio, West Linn
Jason Rasco, Wilsonville
Amy Reaney, Portland
Isaac Regenstreif, Portland
Julie Riggs, Tigard
Dave Robertson, Portland
Lisa Root, West Linn
Krista Anderson Ross,
West Linn
David Roy, Portland
Wes Sand, West Linn
Jim Scherzinger, Portland
Amber Schnacker, Portland
Steve Schramm, West Linn
Michael Sievers, Portland
Rosie Sizer, Portland
Shirley Skidmore, Tigard
Aaron Sleeper, Portland
Cherida Collins Smith,
Portland
Kyle Smith, Portland
Kent Snyder, Portland
Phyllis Snyder, Portland
Laura Sokolowski, Portland
Jesus Solis, Portland
Candy Solovjos, Portland
Doug Stamm, Portland
Sarah Stephan, Portland
Cristie Stevens, West Linn
Charlie Stinson, Canby
Nikkie Stroup
Nancy Stueber, Portland
Dr. Roslyn Sutherland,
Portland
Bill Swindells, Portland
Chris Taylor, Portland
Robin Teater, Marylhurst
David Thompson, Portland
Erin Thompson, Portland
Dr. Kent Thornburg,
Portland
Ken Thrasher, Portland
Betsy Tighe, Portland
Peter Toll, West Linn
Jo-Lynn Tolman, Fairview
Kay Toran, Portland
Carol Turner, Portland
Ethan Velia, Lake Oswego
Lee Diane Collins Vest,
Portland
Jessica Voas, Portland
Kim Vonheeder, Portland
Nancy VonSeggern-Bartley,
West Linn
Amy Sample Ward,
Portland
Malia Wasson, Portland
Rob Waibel, West Linn
David Weber, Portland
Rosy White, West Linn
Carrie Anne Wilcox,
Gresham
Mary Wilcox, Portland
Dave Willard, Forest Grove
Jamila Williams, Portland
Sian Williams, Portland
Barb Wilson, Wilsonville
Trevor Winnie, Portland
Dr. Roger Woehl, West Linn
Peter Wong, Portland
Grant Yoshihara, Portland
Julie Young, Portland
Willamette Valley
Russ Allen, Albany
Eduardo Angulo, Salem
Elizabeth Batlan, Salem
Ricardo Becerril, Salem
Mitch Benedict, Albany
Gladys Blum, Salem
Chuck Borberg, Gervais
Janis Braich, McMinnville
Sue Ellen Buel,
McMinnville
Barbara Bull, Corvallis
Carol Campbell, Newberg
Liz Cawood, Eugene
Maria Cervantes Valdez,
Corvallis
Karla Chambers, Corvallis
Francis Charbonnier,
McMinnville
Cori Clausen, Salem
Rich Clausen, Salem
Martha Collins, Eugene
Jeff Corner, Salem
Sue Corner, Salem
Dan Corrigan, McMinnville
Dean Craig, Salem
Cindy Dahl, Corvallis
Eda Davis-Lowe, Corvallis
Susan Dixon, Albany
June Doyle, Salem
Victoria Doyle, Salem
Susan Fahey, Eugene
Angela Field, McMinnville
Gerry Frank, Salem
Beth Frischmuth,
McMinnville
Dave Frohnmayer, Eugene
Diane Gerson,
Sweet Home
Peter Glaser, Eugene
Susan Glaser, Eugene
Nancy Golden, Springfield
Jackie Goodman, Salem
Judy Guida, Pedee
Betty Haus, Salem
Kathryn Hedrick,
Junction City
Denise Hoffert-Hay, Albany
Larry Horton, Sweet Home
Bruce Huffman,
McMinnville
Phil Hutchinson,
McMinnville
Tom Irwin, Newberg
Tammy Jaquith, Corvallis
Dan Johnson, Salem
Ruth Johnson, Salem
Dick Keis, Corvallis
Fred King, Salem
Kathy Kollasch,
McMinnville
Steve Lamb, Salem
Ray Landerdale, Salem
Krina Lemons, Salem
Eric Lindauer, Salem
Dean Livelybrooks,
Eugene
Brad Lomax, Salem
Steve Macy, McMinnville
Margaret Mahoney,
Eugene
Casey Manfrin, McMinnville
Ted Marr, McMinnville
Kelli Matthews, Eugene
Robert Mayers, Salem
Mike McLaran, Salem
KD McNally, Salem
Greg Meenahan, Newberg
Myrna Miller, Dundee
Rita Moore, Salem
Raquel Moore-Green,
Salem
Sharon Morgan,
McMinnville
Molly Morris, Salem
Frank Nelson, McMinnville
William Neuhauser, Yamhill
Gary Neuschwanger,
McMinnville
Michelle Palmer, Keizer
David Pfendler,
McMinnville
Gretchen Pierce, Eugene
George Puentes, Salem
Karen Pugsley, Newberg
Shelley Reed, Eugene
Kate Richardson, Salem
Joel Robe, Eugene
Ozzie Rose, Salem
Hilda Rosselli, Salem
Robert (Skip) Rung,
Corvallis
Maryalice Russell,
McMinnville
Linda Samek, Salem
Ron Sauer, Springfield
Victoria Shinn, Salem
Sam Skillern, Salem
Marty Smith, Eugene
Terrel Smith, Newberg
Sam Stern, Corvallis
Jean Tate, Eugene
Dale Tomlinson,
McMinnville
Herb Tucker, Oakridge
Patti Tucker, Oakridge
Lisa VanWinkle, Eugene
Arturo Vargas, Corvallis
Eli Weiner-Lininger,
Eugene
Carl Wilborn, Silverton
Southern Oregon
Brady Adams, Grants Pass
Jim Adams, Ashland
Mark Ahalt, Klamath Falls
Joyce Akse, Roseburg
Max Baker, Klamath Falls
Patricia Batsch, Roseburg
Bob Baumann, Ashland
Carla Bee, Roseburg
Kendall Bell, Klamath Falls
Debbie Bennighof,
Grants Pass
Jonathan Bilden, Trail
Pete Bober, Roseburg
Jenny Bream, Coos Bay
Mike Britton, Klamath Falls
Tim Brower, Klamath Falls
Joe Cayne,
Winchester Bay
Sandra Claypool, Ashland
Jennifer Cole,
Klamath Falls
Lance Colley, Roseburg
Bruce Cronk, Roseburg
Stacey Crowe, Roseburg
Amy Cuddy, Ashland
Sue Densmore, Medford
Janice Dole, Grants Pass
Jim Dole, Grants Pass
Owen M. Dykema,
Roseburg
Brad Earl, Medford
Dennis Eberhard,
Roseburg
Steve Erb, Medford
Theresa Erickson,
Eagle Point
Linda Evans, Medford
Joe Foley, Medford
Allyn Ford, Roseburg
Brenda Frank, Chiloquin
Norm Gershon, Roseburg
Julie Gilman, Klamath Falls
Jeff Golden, Ashland
Roger Gould, Coos Bay
Linda Haddlock,
Klamath Falls
Bud Hart, Klamath Falls
Blanca Harlan, Phoenix
Alan Harper, Ashland
Judi Harper, Ashland
Lyn Hennion, Medford
Jon Hill, Roseburg
H. Douglas Hite,
Klamath Falls
Lee Hodson, Eagle Point
Paul Huard, White City
Carol Imani, Klamath Falls
Stephanie Johnson,
Ashland
Bob Kingzett, Klamath Falls
Carolyn Kohn, Grants Pass
Cliff Kuhlman, Grants Pass
Sue Kupillas, Medford
Louise Lesher,
Klamath Falls
Raul Lopez, Medford
Steve Lowell,
Klamath Falls
Karen Lynch, Klamath Falls
Kále Marquez,
Klamath Falls
Susan Massey, Coos Bay
Jeff McKeown, Coos Bay
Laura Millette, Phoenix
Janet Morse, Roseburg
Ranee Neidermeyer,
Grants Pass
Eric Nelson, Klamath Falls
Steven Nelson, Medford
Mary Ann Olsen,
Eagle Point
Annette Oredson, Talent
Lee Paterson, Roseburg
Jean Phillips, Klamath Falls
Steve Pine, Medford
Jean Pinniger,
Klamath Falls
Andy Post, Coos Bay
Kristi Redd, Klamath Falls
Melissa Roberts, Roseburg
Ann Rudd, Klamath Falls
Cristina Sanz, Medford
Sue Schiess, Klamath Falls
Tom Schiess, Klamath Falls
Steve Schilling,
Grants Pass
Trish Seiler, Klamath Falls
Timm Slater, North Bend
Norm Smith, Roseburg
Howard Sohn, Roseburg
Carolyn Stieber,
Eagle Point
John Sweet, Coos Bay
Michelle Sweet, Coos Bay
Lori Theros, Klamath Falls
Bill Thorndike, Medford
Ben Truwe, Medford
Debbie Vought,
Klamath Falls
Rod Wendt, Klamath Falls
Carol Whipple, Elkton
Jason Yaeger, Medford
Central Oregon
Jeanne Burch, Fossil
Jay Casbon, Bend
Jeff Casserly, Terrebonne
Greg Colt, Hood River
Elaine Drakulich, Sisters
Bob Eberhard, Redmond
Vickie Fleming, Redmond
Lorie Hancock,
Camp Sherman
Naomi Jacks, Madras
Angela Jacobsen, Bend
Dan Jones, Bend
Nori Juba, Bend
Molly Kee, Prineville
Mike Keown, Arlington
Peggy Kinkade, Bend
Dan Klingler, Bend
Ruth Lindley, Bend
Wayne Looney, Prineville
Lorena Lowell, Hood River
Mary MacNab, Wasco
Mike Malmquist, Bend
Cathy Miller, Redmond
Jack Mills, Mt. Hood
Keith Mobley, Dufur
Linda Moore, Bend
Merry Ann Moore, Sisters
Doug Nelson, Bend
Susan Nobles, Redmond
Julie Quaid, Madras
Scott Pillar, Sisters
Forrest Rodgers, Bend
Lisa Sage, Redmond
Jade Schneringer, Sisters
Zoe Schumacher, Culver
Greg Scott, Crooked River
Ranch
Jeff Smith, Sisters
Mara Stein, Bend
Cheryl Stewart, Sisters
Judy Stiegler, Bend
Dennis Tooley, Redmond
Jack Trumbull, Hood River
Amy Tykeson, Bend
Parrish VanWert, Madras
Jan Veldhuisen,
Hood River
Holly Weimar, Fossil
Melanie Widmer, Madras
Eastern Oregon
N. Alvarma, Ontario
Jerry Archer, Pendleton
Sharon Allen, Arlington
Tricia Baker, Pendleton
Anna Baum, LaGrande
Heidi Begeot, The Dalles
Cliff Bentz, Ontario
Barbara Ceniga,
Pendleton
Dan Ceniga, Pendleton
Katherine Collins, Ontario
Susan Cook, Pendleton
Steve Corey, Pendleton
Lyn Craig, Fossil
Glynna Day, Ontario
Ann Easly DeBisschop,
Ontario
Shelley Ena, Pendleton
Jenny Galloway,
Pendleton
Brenda Giesen, Adams
Al Gosiak, Pendleton
Mary Jane Guyer, Baker
City
Nancy Haidle, Ontario
Ken Hart, Ontario
Barb Higinbotham,
Ontario
Michael Jaeger, LaGrande
Scott Koch, Lakeview
Andrew Kovach, Ontario
Judy Krutsinger, John Day
Cindy Lenhart, Pendleton
Darcy Long-Curtiss,
The Dalles
John McKinnon,
Pendleton
Debbie Merrill, Pendleton
Joe Montes, Pendleton
Sidnit Mordhorst, Ontario
Sammie Mosley, LaGrande
John Philips, Ontario
Kelly Poe, Ontario
Chuck Rouse, Richland
Kathy Streetm, Condon
PK Swartz, The Dalles
Angie Uptmor, Ontario
Tracie Unterwegner,
John Day
Ann Vloedman, Burns
Herb Vloedman, Burns
Rich Wandschneider,
Enterprise
Ron Wassom, Burns
Bill Wilber, Burns
20 I 2008-2009 Education Report to Oregonians

SPEAK OUT
for Our Schools
Now is the time to speak out for
our children, our schools and our
state. Together, we can raise
student achievement in Oregon
and make our K-12 schools among
the nation’s best. Join us.
Become a Citizens’ CorpS Volunteer
Chalkboard’s Citizen Corps is 500+
members strong, including Oregonians from
the coast to the eastern plains. Members
support Chalkboard’s school improvement
proposals in their communities and help
connect us to local opportunities to engage
fellow citizens.
Join by calling us at (503) 542-4325 or
emailing us at info@chalkboardproject.org.
You may also join online by visiting:
ChalkboardProject.org.