ODE advisory proposes 30 hours of inclusive preschool, higher early-special-education service levels

The Oregon Senate Education Committee received an informational update on House Bill 2,682 on Jan. 14, when Department of Education officials described draft recommendations from an advisory group to modernize the state's adequate service levels for early intervention and early childhood special education.

Kara Williams, director of inclusive services at the Oregon Department of Education, told the committee the bill directs the department to convene an advisory committee that includes families, providers and system experts to develop recommendations and submit final recommendations to the legislature by Sept. 15, 2026. "Adequate service levels define what children and families need," Williams said, calling the levels a "defensible, reliable floor" rather than a prescription for individualized services.

The advisory's draft recommendations include providing access to 30 hours per week of inclusive preschool in community settings for children with low, moderate and high needs. Williams said the…