OATAG Government Advocacy
​Most talented and gifted students in Oregon attend public schools.  Identification of TAG students and the services they receive are authorized through legislation (OR Revised Statutes {ORS}) and follow rules established by the State Board of Education (OR Administrative Rules {OAR}).  OATAG monitors legislation to keep up with potential changes that would affect TAG students.  We provide information about proposed legislation to our members and the public and encourage participation in the political process.  
Current Spotlight
​Senator Sara Gelser's presentation on how to use the Oregon Legislature's website is now available as a video.  It is very helpful for anyone interested in being more involved.
​"Join Senator Sara Gelser for a training about how to access the 2021 session via Oregon Legislative Information System and other online tools."  
Report from OATAG's President, Margaret DeLacy on the Joint Committee on Student Success (JCSS)​. 
​​Friends:
  I am delighted to tell you that the report that the Joint Committee on Student Success submitted last month includes TAG services in several different sections.  You can read the whole report by clicking the link above.
Positives
  The introduction to the report which calls out items of special concern includes the comment that:
  • "Many parents spoke to the committee about the lack of resources for Talented and Gifted(TAG)programs. The High Quality Classrooms work group recommended a series of measures designed to increase the equity of TAG programs and provide a minimum level of service to all TAG students throughout the state."
  This comment was a result of the efforts many of you made to contact the committee.  In addition, Angela Allen, the state TAG specialist, spent a lot of time informing the committee about TAG.  We would not have had a full-time TAG specialist without your support for this position in earlier sessions, but we are also fortunate to have a specialist whose input is respected by the folks on the committee.
  More ...... 
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How to Participate in Oregon Legislation​

Finding your legislator
  • Go to the Oregon Legislature Home Page
  • In the “Find My Legislators" box enter your address including zip code and click Go.
  • By clicking on the tabs for "House" and "Senate" at the top you will find a listing of your legislators in that chamber. If you click on their web page link, you will find contact information, news and a biography for each legislator.
  • It is an excellent idea to sign up for your legislators' newsletters. This will tell you what their priorities are and will also alert you to scheduled Town Halls in your district.  Every Oregon legislator eventually votes on nearly every bill (a couple are usually excused due to sickness or official business)
  • You can sign up for their newsletter on their web page
At the bottom of the Oregon Legislative Home Page is a button labelled "esubscribe". This will take you to a central listing where you can enter your email and sign up for agendas, newsletters, and other legislative information.
Contacting your legislator
  • The best way to communicate with your legislators is to send them an e-mail or letter. 
  • If you are writing concerning a specific bill, put "support" or "oppose" in the "subject" line depending on which one you are asking the legislator to do, and add the bill number.  For example, "Please support SB 100" or "Please oppose HB 1001".
Learn how to testify before a committee
  • From the Oregon State Legislature Home Page click on the "Citizen Engagement" section
    • In the “Engage” area click on “How to Testify”, which includes the video: “Making a Difference, A Citizens Guide on How to Testify”
    • In the “Engage” area click on “How to Submit Exhibits” for guidelines on submitting "exhibits"
    • The "Audio/Video" area will let you see and hear both chamber and committee sessions either as they occur or as archived versions from past hearings
How to find a bill
How to contact an Education Committee member
Click on the Committee link and then click on a member’s name to get their information: