Across the state, teachers are getting back to work, getting ready for another year of trying to prepare Oregon children for college and the world ahead. In some cities - most notably Portland - classes start on Monday.

A new report commissioned by the Oregon Education Association - the state's teachers union - is very critical of the state's funding mechanism, showing the differences between Salem, Oregon and Salem, Massachusetts to make the point. "When I look at the comparison between Salem, Massachusetts and Salem, Oregon, I can't help but think we failing our children," said Otto Schell, Oregon PTA's legislative director.

"To match what other states with better education outcomes are doing we need to stop the disinvestment and start funding our schools at a level we can be proud of." The report lays much of the blame at the 1990 passage of Measure 5, which shifted the funding for schools from property taxes to the state.

Oregon has become a state with some of the largest classes, shortest school years, and lowest graduation rates in the country. Among the findings of the report:

In 2014-2015 Oregon had the third largest classes in the country. Oregon's 20.7 student-to-teacher ratio was about one-third higher than the national average (15.8);

In the 2014-2015 school year, Oregon students averaged 169.9 days in the classroom. Most states

require a minimum 180 days per school year, two full weeks longer than what the average Oregon

student receives;

Oregon used to have more than 1,200 career and technical education programs, but now there are

fewer than 700 statewide; Since 2008, one in 20 schools has closed or consolidated, which means fewer kids are going to

neighborhood schools and transportation costs are higher;