Salem-Keizer, Oregon Public School Enrollment Climbs in 2005-06 School Year

The largest areas of growth came in the Portland suburbs, in Salem, and in Bend.

State Schools Superintendant Susan Castillo Photo By: Tim King

(Salem) - State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced Monday that the total number of Oregon elementary and secondary students enrolled in public schools has increased sharply since last year.

According to Oct. 1st, 2005 counts reported by school districts, Oregon has 559,228 students in public schools an increase of 6,889 since last year (1.2%). State population forecasts had predicted an increase of less than 1%.

"The surprising increase in the number of public school students this year will continue to put pressure on Oregon schools and districts," Castillo said. "We already face some of the largest class sizes in the country, and the combination of increased enrollment and decreased school funding makes it even harder for classroom teachers to ensure that every student is successful."

Hispanic student enrollment continues to increase. Today, there are 84,246 Hispanic students in the state an increase of 14% from last year ? and many of these students need more resources and more specialized instruction, Castillo said.

"Given the increase in general student population and the increase in English language learners, combined with the deep cuts in recent years, it`s clear that Oregon schools must have more resources," Castillo said. "Since 2002, we have been doing more with less, and we have slipped below the national average in per-pupil spending."

Here are the 2005-06 enrollment figures for the state`s ten largest districts and the percentage change from 2004-05:
Portland 46,988 (-1.4%)
Salem-Keizer 38,908 (+1.9%)
Beaverton 36,664 (+1.6%)
Hillsboro 19,715 (+1.9%)
Eugene 18,439 (+0.3%)
North Clackamas 16,987 (+2.7%)
Bend-LaPine 14,685 (+2.7%)
Medford 12,538 (-1.4%)