An early stage proposal by a consortium of Oregon community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees for aspiring elementary school educators is drawing significant pushback from colleges and universities that already prepare teachers.

The proposal, currently under review by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission, would equip prospective teachers with degrees and allow them to sit for licensing exams after four years of study at a community college in Salem, Ontario, The Dalles, the Rogue Valley or the Corvallis-Albany area. Its backers hope the programs can be up and running by fall 2027.

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