Portland-area schools are deploying extra efforts after test results showed Oregon’s academic slide is among the worst in the nation. Local educators are saying that they will spend this year reviewing instructional materials recommended by the Oregon Department of Education. The information is stark. Compared to their counterparts nationwide, experts say that Oregon students are in dire need of an academic rescue. The subject needing the most attention is math. This is based on data from a new federal test.
The set up of the test took samples of scores from the only standardized tests given to a representative sample of students in every state. The results of the test also showed that while the nation’s students experienced big academic setbacks, Oregon experienced an even greater slide and now ranks 6th worst in both fourth- and eighth-grade math. This is just above the worst performing states in the Deep South and Appalachia.
The new governor-elect Tina Kotek pledged that she would direct the Oregon Department of Education to hold school districts accountable, specifically by requiring them to be more transparent about student outcomes. During her close campaign she called on the department to more closely monitor districts and provide more support to those it finds are struggling.
Early childhood education became a big in the colleges as students graduated looking to change the lives of children in their communities. Kotek pledged to emphasize early reading instruction so students read proficiently by third grade. Her campaign speeches included talk about ensuring educators have the training and ongoing coaching they need to follow the science of reading.
One issue involved school districts not being accountable after they take funds. The state does not systematically monitor school districts’ spending of the money they’re receiving from the state and the federal government.
There are some bright spots where schools are trying to make something positive happen. Some Oregon schools, for example, have added more hours of math instruction, offered teachers more training, or have switched to what they say are more effective math textbooks. The pandemic is mentioned as a major factor.
