The Post Millennial story on this is quite light on details.

Here’s another article with more: https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-legislature-passes-bill-t...

And here’s the text of the bill (PDF): https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Downloads/Meas...

And here’s the Department of Education’s page on the Essential Skills Graduation Requirement: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/essentialskill...

Key points from my quick read:

This is about suspending mandatory testing prior to graduation. They did that last year due to virtual learning, and are extending the suspension longer while things get back to normal, and while they assess whether the approach to testing they have is suitable (and in line with what other states are doing). It is not (yet) gone forever, just for a couple years. And you still have to pass courses in all of those subject orders in order to graduate.

How is your interpretation any better than the editorialized 'brown drops education requirements'. The pandemic is no excuse to lower standards. It short changes these kids. If anything, public schooling should be extended as an option for those above 18 to freely learn what they missed. This is an immense loss for these children. The last two years of High school are extremelyy important.

Not sure how exactly the lack of these skills could benefit anyone.

I understand that the lack of a school diploma is a huge drag in life and that can primarily affect people from disadvantaged backgrounds, but shouldn't they focus on improving the way they teach kids instead?

> Not sure how exactly the lack of these skills could benefit anyone.

Lower the standards across all levels -- high school graduation, college admissions, job placements. Eventually we end up with surgeons and lawyers that are illiterate. But at least it is equitable!

As Sir Humphrey said, education policies are not for children and parents, but for teachers.

That would require skilled politicians that knew what they were doing.