"In his 20+ years in the country Kayse has worked diligently—directly or indirectly—for everything we believe in: empowering and training educators, safe and inclusive classrooms, student success and equity for all." - Oregon Education Association
Investing in Education
As a parent with two kids in the David Douglas School District, Senator Jama knows that Oregon’s schools are filled with talented teachers and students eager to learn, but for decades, they have been seriously under-resourced. While the legislature increased its investment in public education and early literacy last biennium, funding is still 26.9% below Oregon's identified Quality Education Model.
With uncertainty around the budget and districts across the state struggling with rising costs, we need to keep this promise and not let our investments in equity-focused programs and services fall by the wayside. Now more than ever, we need to be committed to giving every student a quality education, and the tools they need to succeed.
Senator Jama also knows that learning is a lifelong endeavor. His work advocating for adult education earned him the 2023 Legislative Champion Award from the National Coalition on Adult Basic Education.
Recent Legislation
Immigrant and Refugee Success Plan: In recent years, the legislature has partnered with the Oregon Department of Education to design and implement specific Student Success Plans designed to better support historically and currently marginalized students, youth, and their surrounding communities through targeted investment and statewide policies that aim to reduce learning and inclusion disparities, close opportunity gaps, and maintain safety and well-being among all students. In 2024, Senator Jama built on these investments by establishing a Student Success Plan catered to the unique needs of immigrant and refugee students.
As a community organizer, advocate, and former refugee, Senator Jama knows all too well the challenges that these students face in our schools. From language barriers to ongoing mental health needs in the wake of trauma and persecution, students new to our nation and state require specific support to succeed in the classroom. The legislation ensures Oregon studies best practices and identifies resources needed to ensure these students thrive.