In 2009, Oregon set minimum academic standards required to obtain a High School diploma. In 2020, Covid-19 was used as a pretense to temporarily suspend these academic requirements.
SB 744 eliminates the minimum academic requirements:
Prohibits State Board of Education from requiring for high school diploma that student show proficiency in any academic content area if student successfully completed credit requirements. Applies to high school diplomas awarded on or after July 1, 2023.
SB 744 declares that any student who has completed 24 credits, including 3 in math and 4 in English, must be given a diploma no matter what. Once a person is 21, they can have an “extended diploma” for completing only 12 credits.
This comes on the heels of SB 732, which was signed by the governor last June. It orders all school districts to establish an “educational equity advisory committee.” This means more tax dollars will be spent to give high-paying government jobs to activists/grifters (bure-activists).
SB 744 passed the house 38 to 18, and the senate 18 to 16. Oregon Governor Kate Brown has signed it into law.
“Oregon’s Black, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Tribal, and students of color will benefit [from SB 744]” – Charles Boyle, Governor Kate Brown’s deputy communications director.
Critics say the move will create a public perception that High Schools are forced to give diplomas to Blacks and other racial minorities no matter what. This will hurt minorities as their diplomas will be viewed as having little value even if they are proficient in reading, writing, and basic math. It could also encourage more students not to bother applying themselves.
