Oregon’s Hidden Burden: Why Teachers Face 60+ Students-And the Paperwork That Comes With It
- Oregon’s 95 school districts face state-mandated recovery plans after a review found widespread instructional time shortfalls, with educators warning caseloads and administrative demands are crowding out teaching.
- According to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), 95 of the state’s 196 school districts must add back instructional time in the 2026–27 school year following a statewide...
- The ODE’s audit cited three primary causes: expanded special education services without corresponding funding, increased administrative workloads tied to state-mandated paperwork, and teacher shortages.
Oregon’s 95 school districts face state-mandated recovery plans after a review found widespread instructional time shortfalls, with educators warning caseloads and administrative demands are crowding out teaching.
According to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), 95 of the state’s 196 school districts must add back instructional time in the 2026–27 school year following a statewide audit. The directive stems from a December 2025 compliance review that identified chronic underfunding and staffing shortages, particularly in special education, where caseloads have ballooned.
Why are districts losing instructional time?
The ODE’s audit cited three primary causes: expanded special education services without corresponding funding, increased administrative workloads tied to state-mandated paperwork, and teacher shortages. In one district, an unnamed special education coordinator told the Oregonian their caseload had grown to nearly 60 students annually, leaving little time for lesson planning or classroom instruction.
“Schools are supposed to teach, but we’re drowning in IEPs and compliance forms,” the coordinator said. “The state keeps adding mandates without the resources to meet them.”
What happens next for Oregon schools?
Districts must submit recovery plans by August 15, detailing how they will restore lost instructional hours. The ODE has provided a $12 million emergency grant to help cover costs, but critics say the funding falls short of the $45 million needed to fully address the shortfall, according to a June 2026 analysis by the Oregon Education Association (OEA).
How does this compare to past shortages?
Oregon’s instructional time losses mirror a national trend: A 2023 RAND Corporation study found that 42% of U.S. school districts reported reduced instructional minutes due to staffing gaps. However, Oregon’s situation is acute because of its reliance on local control funding—districts receive less state aid per pupil than most Western states, according to the ODE’s 2025 fiscal report.
What educators are saying
The Oregon Education Association (OEA) called the directive “a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.” “We’ve been warning for years that special education funding is broken,” said OEA President Sarah McCarthy. “Now we’re being told to fix it with a fraction of what’s needed.”
The ODE emphasized that the recovery plans are not punitive but necessary to comply with federal special education law. “Every child deserves access to instruction,” said ODE Director Colt Gill. “We’re working with districts to find sustainable solutions.”
Where does the money go?
The $12 million grant will prioritize:
- Hiring additional special education aides
- Reducing non-instructional administrative tasks
- Extending school days in districts with the largest shortfalls
Districts must also demonstrate progress in the 2027–28 school year or risk further state intervention, including potential loss of discretionary funding.
How can parents and teachers get involved?
The ODE has opened a public comment period through July 31 for recovery plans. Teachers and parents can submit feedback via the ODE’s public portal. The OEA is hosting informational meetings in July to discuss alternatives to the state’s proposed fixes.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has ordered 95 of the state’s 196 school districts to add back instructional time in the 2026–27 school year after a statewide audit found widespread shortfalls. The directive, announced June 18, follows a December 2025 compliance review that identified chronic underfunding and staffing shortages, particularly in special education.
According to the ODE, districts must submit recovery plans by August 15, detailing how they will restore lost instructional hours. The state has allocated a $12 million emergency grant to help cover costs, though critics argue the funding is insufficient to address the full scope of the problem.
“Schools are supposed to teach, but we’re drowning in IEPs and compliance forms,” said one special education coordinator, whose caseload has grown to nearly 60 students annually. The coordinator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Oregonian that administrative demands are crowding out classroom instruction.
The ODE’s audit cited three primary causes for the instructional time losses: expanded special education services without corresponding funding, increased administrative workloads tied to state-mandated paperwork, and teacher shortages. A June 2026 analysis by the Oregon Education Association (OEA) estimated that $45 million would be needed to fully address the shortfall.
Why are Oregon’s schools losing instructional time?
The problem stems from Oregon’s reliance on local control funding, which provides less state aid per pupil than most Western states. According to the ODE’s 2025 fiscal report, districts receive an average of $6,200 per pupil in state funding, compared to $7,800 in Washington and $8,500 in California.
Special education caseloads have surged in recent years, with some districts reporting increases of up to 30% since 2020. The ODE’s audit found that many districts are spending up to 40% of their budgets on special education services, leaving little for general instruction.
What happens next for Oregon schools?
Districts must submit recovery plans by August 15, outlining how they will restore lost instructional hours. The ODE has provided a $12 million emergency grant to help cover costs, but critics say the funding is insufficient. The Oregon Education Association (OEA) called the directive “a Band-Aid on a gaping wound” and urged lawmakers to increase funding for special education.
“We’ve been warning for years that special education funding is broken,” said OEA President Sarah McCarthy. “Now we’re being told to fix it with a fraction of what’s needed.”
The ODE emphasized that the recovery plans are not punitive but necessary to comply with federal special education law. “Every child deserves access to instruction,” said ODE Director Colt Gill. “We’re working with districts to find sustainable solutions.”
How does this compare to past shortages?
Oregon’s instructional time losses mirror a national trend: A 2023 RAND Corporation study found that 42% of U.S. school districts reported reduced instructional minutes due to staffing gaps. However, Oregon’s situation is acute because of its reliance on local control funding.
In 2022, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill to increase special education funding by $100 million over three years, but the measure was vetoed by then-Governor Tina Kotek. The current funding shortfall is the direct result of that veto, according to the OEA.
Where does the money go?
The $12 million grant will be allocated as follows:
- Hiring additional special education aides
- Reducing non-instructional administrative tasks
- Extending school days in districts with the largest shortfalls
Districts must also demonstrate progress in the 2027–28 school year or risk further state intervention, including potential loss of discretionary funding.
How can parents and teachers get involved?
The ODE has opened a public comment period through July 31 for recovery plans. Teachers and parents can submit feedback via the ODE’s public portal. The OEA is hosting informational meetings in July to discuss alternatives to the state’s proposed fixes.
For more information, contact the ODE at ode.info@ode.state.or.us or the OEA at www.oregoneducators.org.