Chapter 337 — Books and Instructional Materials

ORS 337.260 Textbooks on American history and government

Every district school board, the State Board of Education and every committee or officer responsible for the adoption of textbooks for use in the public schools shall adopt textbooks on American history and government which adequately stress the services rendered by those who achieved our national independence, who established our form of constitutional government and who preserved our federal union. Respect for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and their contributions to our history and system of government shall be reflected in the textbooks adopted by the State Board of Education.

Note: The amendments to 337.260 by section 3, chapter 202, Oregon Laws 2019, become operative September 30, 2026. See section 4, chapter 202, Oregon Laws 2019. The text that is operative on and after September 30, 2026, including amendments by section 2, chapter 328, Oregon Laws 2023, and section 6, chapter 345, Oregon Laws 2025, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

337.260. (1) Every district school board, the State Board of Education and every committee or administrator responsible for the adoption of textbooks and other instructional materials for use in the public schools shall adopt textbooks and other instructional materials on American history and government that adequately stress the services rendered by those who achieved our national independence, who established our form of constitutional government and who preserved our federal union. Textbooks and other instructional materials shall adequately address the roles in and contributions to the economic, political and social development of Oregon and the United States by men and women who:

(a)

Are Native American;

(b)

Are of European, African, Asian, Pacific Island, Chicano, Latino, Middle Eastern or Jewish descent;

(c)

Have disabilities;

(d)

Are immigrants or refugees; or

(e)

Are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

(2)

To comply with the prohibition on discrimination required by ORS 659.850, a district school board or a committee or administrator responsible for the adoption of textbooks or other instructional materials under this section may not prohibit the use of, or refuse to approve the use of, textbooks or instructional materials on the basis that the textbooks or instructional materials include a perspective, study or story of, or are created by, any individual or group identified in subsection (1) of this section.

(3)

Textbooks or other instructional materials may not be removed from use in a public school at the request of a person who is not responsible for the adoption of textbooks or other instructional materials, as described in subsection (1) of this section, unless:

(a)

The request is made as a formal written request by a parent or guardian of a student of a school of the school district or an employee of the school district;

(b)

A committee from the school district considers the request made under paragraph (a) of this subsection to ensure compliance with subsection (2) of this section and, if after consideration of the request agrees to the removal, provides a public written explanation for the removal; and

(c)

The removal is not made until the committee provides the public written explanation described in paragraph (b) of this subsection.