Oregon

Oregon

OR: Parents power Portland schools' rebound
Summary: Financial difficulties, due to a drop in student enrollment, were forcing this district to take drastic measures to make ends meet. Couple that with an ineffective and stale board and the district was headed for disaster. But when parents got involved, launching a group called Help Out Public Education (HOPE), things began to turn around. With a new board—and time—things are looking up. Parents are once again opting to send their children to Portland's public schools and achievement on standardized tests is improving at most grade levels. Although the district still faces financial challenges, fewer cuts were made than originally anticipated and the board is working hard to partner with the community to revamp its high schools and boost civic engagement.

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