Students, educators tell committee to recognize competitive robotics and tech activities as CTE pathways

Sen. Sarah Gelser Bluhm, sponsor in the Senate, and Rep. Boomer Wright, sponsor in the House, told the committee Senate Bill 894 would ask the Oregon Department of Education, working with the STEM Investment Council, to review academic standards for technology-based competitive activities and recommend standards to allow students to earn academic credit for participating.

"The measure requires ODE to develop and recommend standards for students to receive academic credit for competitive technology based activities and to ensure that the district resources and state grants are available to technology based activities," the Senate summary said.

Students from Crescent Valley High School and other FIRST programs offered testimony describing hands-on STEM learning, leadership, project management and sustained technical experience. "FIRST is far more than just robots," said Sarah Young, a senior on Crescent Valley Robotics team 955, describing the mix of technical and soft skills members develop. Other students described travel to competitions, mentorship roles, industry visits and long-term team leadership.

Mentors and school officials described inconsistent treatment of robotics programs across districts. Charles Dupuy, a mentor for Crescent Valley Robotics, said club classification often blocks access to shop space, tools and transportation. "The primary issue is that the CV robotics club does not have a seat at the table for conversations about shop access or use of tools," Dupuy said, adding teams sometimes purchase duplicate tools or meet in hallways because shops are locked.

Proponents said formal recognition as a CTE-aligned activity would expand access to transportation, facilities, CTE grants and a pathway to course credit. Student speakers said CTE credit would free schedule space and make participation more widely accessible. The bill would also require a report back to the State Board of Education and the Legislative Assembly with recommendations and a suggested timeline.

The Coalition of Oregon School Administrators expressed support for the bill’s goals while noting implementation details that would be needed for CTE alignment, including teacher licensure, work-based learning alignment and postsecondary connections. COSA also urged attention to equity of access across the state and sustainable funding for transportation and program operations.

Mentors and students said costs are limited to transportation and incremental wear on existing equipment; they argued the educational return and increased graduation and career readiness justify the change. Several senators praised student testimony and asked staff to consider the bill’s specifics in later work sessions.

The committee closed the SB 894 hearing and opened another bill; no vote on SB 894 occurred at the hearing. Students invited committee members to upcoming competitions and said they would provide contact information for follow-up.