Oregon’s next governor could hold significant sway over how schools approach institutional racism and bias, teach about gender and sexual orientation and the degree to which schools support LGBTQ students.
In Oregon, the governor serves as the superintendent of public instruction and appoints the director of the Department of Education and members of the state Board of Education. With Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and Democratic majorities in the Legislature, Oregon has not restricted schools from teaching about gender and sexual orientation or racism. To the contrary: State education standards require schools to teach about gender identities, sexuality and racism.
