Open School

At Open School, we know that real educational equity requires both investment and accountability. That’s why we’re paying close attention to HB 2009/ SB 141, Oregon’s latest effort to improve school accountability and student outcomes. More funding for schools is critical—but funding alone isn’t enough. Oregon must ensure that every dollar invested translates into better instruction, stronger school leadership, and improved student success. Our framework for academic excellence, equity, and advocacy is built on the belief that: ?? Excellence: Every student deserves access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction. ?? Equity: Schools must provide evidence-based supports to ensure historically underestimated students thrive. ?? Advocacy: We must challenge systems and beliefs that allow achievement gaps to persist. This legislative moment is a critical opportunity to demand stronger accountability for student outcomes. Read more from our interim president, Dr. Christine Toribio Pitts, below ?? #EducationEquity #AcademicExcellence #StudentSuccess #OregonSchools #EdPolicy

?? We have to SEE our students. We have to SUPPORT our students. We have to CHALLENGE our students. That’s the developmental approach public schools need—but too often, students with dyslexia and other learning differences go unseen, unsupported, and unchallenged in classrooms that weren’t designed with them in mind. This weekend, Dr. Christine Toribio Pitts moderated a robust discussion following a screening of Left Behind. She heard from -- ?? Avari Brocker, a student advocate, who explained that she had to teach her own teachers about dyslexia and accommodations. Like so many students, she had to fight to access what she needed to learn. ?? Alex Green, a former NFL player, shared that he had to apply to his high school five or six times before he got in. His dyslexia went undiagnosed, and like many students, he never received early intervention that could have changed his trajectory. This isn’t a rare story—it’s a reality for thousands of kids. Getting a dyslexia diagnosis is often expensive, complicated, and delayed. That means countless students struggle in silence, blaming themselves for a system that isn’t set up to support them. ?? Oregon has taken steps in early literacy, but we still fail to ensure that ALL students get the necessary interventions. Screening laws mean nothing if students don’t get timely support. Literacy mandates fall short if teachers aren’t trained to recognize and respond to learning differences. ?? We can do better. Every student deserves to be seen, supported, and challenged in ways that reflect their unique learning needs. This is our moment to get literacy right in Oregon. ?? What will we do—collectively, as parents, educators, and policymakers—to make that happen? #Literacy #DyslexiaAwareness #EducationEquity #OregonEducation

ICYMI--Oregon schools should reveal absenteeism in real time to fix terrible problem, lawmakers say: https://lnkd.in/gf_TBmdd Big thank you to Rep Hoa H Nguyen & Sen Weber for leading this work, and Jessica Cobian on our team for working to ensure the proposals are grounded in research. Oregon must get serious about attendance if we are going to fix our worst in the country literacy and math outcomes.

Having and using up-to-date attendance data is essential to long-term student success! At Open School, attendance isn’t just about showing up—it’s about feeling seen, supported, and engaged in learning in ways our students haven't previously experienced. Chronic absenteeism signals that learning environments must change to better serve students. That’s why relationships, advocacy, and self-determination in learning are at the heart of everything we do. We applaud the legislature for advancing a bill that would help schools track attendance in real-time and use data to drive action; we must ensure that every student has the support they need to engage and thrive in school. ?? Read more about why tracking attendance data matters for student success #EducationMatters #StudentEngagement #BelongingInSchools #OpenSchoolInc https://lnkd.in/g9ffyc5z

You're invited to the screening of ?? Left Behind ?? ... ... a must-see film about five tenacious mothers determined to establish the first public school in New York City for children with dyslexia. Following the film, Open's interim president, Dr. Christine Toribio Pitts, will moderate a panel discussion featuring: ?? Alex Green (Former NFL player & advocate) ?? Avari Brocker (Student Empowerment Member, IDA Oregon) ?? Johnna N. Timmes (Education Advisor to Governor Kotek) You can purchase a ticket here: https://lnkd.in/g6XuuRns ??? Sunday, March 2, 4:00 p.m. ?? Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave, Portland, Oregon 97209)

At Open East, our independent high school, relationships are the cornerstone of our school model. Today, our incredible principal Nawwal Moustafa, gifted all of our students new sweatshirts as a reward for making their attendance benchmark goal! That’s not all. She also wrote personalized notes celebrating their unique contributions to our school and tucked them into their goodie-bags ?? When you join Open the feelings of care, compassion, and commitment are palpable. We do this #forthetudents! #relationshipsfirst #radicallycenteringkids #communityofcare

As you may have noticed, we’ve got a new name (and a revitalized purpose)! Our world is changing. As it does we are deepening our unwavering commitment to creating a world where all people feel included and a sense of belonging; able to bring their full selves to the communities where they work and live. And we are evolving. For starters, we’re changing our name.? Meet - The Center Consultancy (aka The Center). Our new name, The Center Consultancy, offers a broader view of the work we are doing while still remaining core to who we are - committed to creating meaningful, people-centered solutions that benefit everyone. As The Center our services are also expanding to include industry specific training, strategic planning, and individualized consultative services.? You can count on us to provide you with the tools and support you need so you can navigate through complexity and challenge to achieve the success you desire. Humanity is messy. We’re built for it.

ATTN College & Career Coordinators, Administrators, and all other Educators - Your March #College & #EarlyCareer Resource Planning Map has arrived ?? ?? Check out Get Schooled's collection of resources to support students with exploring #Colleges, #SummerClasses, and #SummerEmployment! ?? Do you want access to a full year of College & Career Resource Maps? Subscribe to our free weekly resource newsletter here to access all of our Resource Maps & more from Get Schooled: https://lnkd.in/gP5CWiPg

?? Join Us for Open School’s Spring Gala! ?? Mark your calendars! On May 22nd, Open School is hosting our spring gala, and we want ? YOU ? to be part of this unforgettable evening. This is a celebration of student success, equity in education, and the power of community to make a lasting impact. Why attend? ? Support underestimated youth achieve their academic and life goals ? Connect with community leaders, educators, and advocates ? Ensure that all students access quality education regardless of demography ? Enjoy an evening filled with inspiration, joy, and hope ?? Date: May 22, 2025 ?? Location: The Loft on 8th ?? Time: 5:30 p.m. ?? Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider joining our amazing group of sponsors and commit becoming a sponsor yourself. DM us if interested! ?? Thank you to our current sponsors, Michael Smira, Anne Lipsitz, Rachael Spavins, J. Schuberth, Miller Nash LLP, The Standard, Workplace Change, LLC, Brown & Brown Insurance, and Vibrant Table. Join us as we celebrate, uplift, and invest in the next generation of leaders. See you there! ?? #OpenSchoolGala #EducationMatters #SupportOurStudents #EquityInEducation

?? Why Student Data Matters Now More Than Ever Our Interim President & CEO, Dr. Christine Toribio Pitts, just wrote about this critical moment in education—where federal rollbacks threaten to erase the data that tells the true story of our students. At Open School, we believe that data isn’t just numbers—it’s visibility. It’s how we ensure students aren’t lost in averages, how we push for equitable resources, and how we hold systems accountable for real student success. If we stop collecting transparent, disaggregated student data, we risk replacing truth with subjective narratives that can be twisted or erased. Who will make sure our students remain seen, heard, and counted? ?? Read Christine’s piece on this pivotal moment: https://lnkd.in/gZwubmgY