HB 3006 would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to school leader candidates based on race.
Per the bill’s “Summary”:
Digest: The Act would create ways to increase diversity in the education workforce in the state. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Education for various purposes related to increasing the representation of marginalized populations in the education workforce in this state. Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award scholarships to administrator candidates who are from marginalized populations.
[Testimony from Rep. Yunker]
While supporting future educators is important, this bill does so in a way that is not fair to everyone. Grant programs should be based on merit, need, or qualifications—not on identity.
This bill is very similar to a previous state program that was challenged in court. In Lynn v. Goff, a longtime Spanish teacher was denied financial help from a state program because he was white. The state settled the case and ended the program. Reintroducing the same kind of race-based policy now through HB 3006 risks repeating that mistake.
The U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause makes it clear: the government cannot treat people differently based on race. Oregon should support all aspiring school leaders equally. Fairness means giving everyone the same chance, no matter who they are or where they come from.
EMAIL COMMITTEE
Rep.ZachHudson@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.LisaFragala@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.DarinHarbick@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.SarahMcDonald@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.LeslyMunoz@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.BoomerWright@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.DwayneYunker@OregonLegislature.gov