Published: September 21, 2023

Oregon is making little progress reclaiming education ground lost during the pandemic, according to Oregon spring assessment testing results published Thursday.

Results varied greatly by school district and subgroups, but as a state, students have made little proficiency progress despite the extra federal and state investments of the past year. With the emergency funding winding down, less than half of Oregon students are proficient in English language arts. Less than a third are proficient in math or science.

The tests are given to grades three to eight and grade 11 in English language arts and math and grades five, eight and 11 in science. “Proficiency” means a student is at level 3 or 4 on the tests and on track to be college or career ready.  

The statewide assessment tests are designed to measure the system’s health and guide improvements over time. They are not designed as individual student evaluations.

In English language arts, grades five and six increased less than a percentage point, and the rest of the grades fell from the previous year. The average proficiency for all grades was 43%.

Math proficiency increased by 1.5 percentage point or less in all grades except eight, which fell, and 11, which stayed the same. The average for all grades was 30.6%

Science proficiency stayed the same in grade five, dropped slightly in grade eight and rose slightly in grade 11. Overall, 29.4% of students showed proficiency.

Testing participation improved from the past year but still remained below the federal government’s 95% requirement in all grades and subjects. Oregon law allows parents to opt students out, making it hard for schools to reach the target.

Oregon had 88.8% participation in English language arts, 87.7% in math and 84.3% in science overall. In grade 11, participation in all three subjects was below 80%, the recommended level for making good comparisons between years or schools.

ODE Interim Director Charlene Williams said in a statement that although assessment tests don’t reflect all the hard work and success of students, they do reveal areas that need more attention.

– Jake Arnold, OSBA
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