Relating to the provision of instruction in a manner that is not in person.
Summary
SB 970 would make student enrollment in a remote learning program or an online learning program voluntary and prohibit a school district from unilaterally placing a student into either setting. The bill defines both terms broadly: an online learning program is one where instruction regularly and primarily occurs online or through other electronic technology, while a remote learning program is one where the student is regularly separated by time or location from the teacher during instructional time.
The bill includes several exceptions to the voluntary-enrollment rule. It would not restrict out-of-school suspensions imposed under existing law, temporary remote or online placements used as part of an alternate interim placement while a behavioral assessment or behavior intervention plan is being developed or implemented, or temporary remote or online instruction provided to most students in a program during a public health emergency, human-created disaster, natural disaster, or other declared public emergency. The measure would apply to instruction provided on or after its effective date.
Impact
SB 970 would add a new restriction on how Oregon school districts may assign students to non-in-person instruction, effectively creating a consent-based rule for remote and online learning placements. It would affect school district practices, student placement decisions, and any existing policies that allow districts to move students into virtual instruction without family or student agreement, while preserving emergency and discipline-related exceptions. The bill would also interact with existing student discipline and special education/behavioral intervention frameworks by expressly carving out certain temporary placements.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be precautionary and student-centered rather than controversial on its face. The measure is framed as limiting involuntary remote instruction and protecting families from unilateral placement decisions, while still allowing districts flexibility in emergencies and certain behavioral interventions. No formal vote history or hearing record is available here to show broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between parental/student choice and school district discretion. Supporters would likely favor the bill for preventing districts from forcing students into remote or online programs, especially outside emergency conditions. Opponents or concerned districts may argue that the restriction could reduce administrative flexibility for attendance, discipline, staffing, or individualized placement decisions, though the bill does preserve exceptions for suspensions, behavioral interventions, and declared emergencies. The scope of the exceptions—especially what qualifies as temporary placement or an emergency—could also be a practical area of dispute.