10/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2024 07:45
NEWS RELEASE
October 3, 2024
Media Contact: Marc Siegel
ODE has identified key areas for targeted action to support improved student performance.
(Salem, OR) - The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released results today from the Oregon Statewide Assessment System's spring 2024 summative tests, which highlight there is more work ahead to reach pre-pandemic academic performance levels. The results included key areas of progress statewide, with six out of seven grade levels showing improved math scores, while recovery in literacy scores has been slower and more uneven across the state.
Along with the data release, ODE has identified key areas for targeted action to support improved student performance, including continued and increased investment in K-12 literacy, support for summer and afterschool learning, refining data and policy practices and developing an accountability framework.
"While it's encouraging to see the signs of improvement in mathematics, we need to continue our focus on maintaining high expectations, providing opportunities for our students to succeed, and supporting our schools and educators in the hard work ahead," ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. "Several targeted efforts are underway to support students including the statewide investment and commitment to early literacy best practices. As funding and supports from the Early Literacy Success Initiative become embedded in schools, we will begin to see a significant payoff for Oregon's scholars."
"Every child deserves a high-quality, culturally responsive public education to be set up for success. I'm not satisfied with this year's numbers," Governor Tina Kotek said. "We must double down on our commitment and collaboration to fix the gaps in our system that are failing students. I am focused on working with education partners across the whole system to identify evidence-based solutions, increase high-quality learning opportunities, and strengthen student wellbeing."
Progress in Mathematics
Although Oregon has significant room to grow, one of the encouraging aspects of the recent data is the gains made in mathematics. There are clear signs of improvement across various grade levels with particularly notable improvements in grades 5, 7, and 8. Districts who have shown improvement are pointing to several factors that have contributed to this progress, including teacher collaboration time, an emphasis on connecting the math lesson to other school subjects such as science and social science, and a focus on conceptual understanding.
Programs Underway To Solve Challenges in
English Language Arts (ELA)
The data reveal ELA as a critical area of concern as students are not consistently demonstrating grade-level knowledge and skills. Across nearly all grade levels, ELA proficiency rates remain below pre-pandemic levels and equity gaps remain. These gaps highlight the ongoing need to identify and provide specific resources to improve best practices that leverage high-quality, culturally-relevant instructional materials.
How Oregon Can Accelerate Learning
ODE has identified the following key areas for targeted action:
###