Decline in assessment test participation in La Grande School District causing concern
LA GRANDE — La Grande School District officials are anxious as students begin taking state assessment tests for the 2023-24 school year in April and May.
District officials are concerned despite an array of reasons to believe students will build on momentum from 2023 when they improved from 2022 and topped state averages in many categories.
What worries officials, according to La Grande School District Superintendent George Mendoza, is that an increasing number of students are opting out. The Oregon Department of Education makes the tests optional for students and this year an increasing number of La Grande School District families appear to be choosing to skip them.
“We are definitely concerned,” he said.
The reason for the concern stems from the fact school districts are required by the Oregon Department of Education to have at least 95% of their students in third through eighth grade and high school juniors take the test each year. School districts falling below the 95% threshold may be sanctioned. It is not clear what the sanctions would be, but Mendoza said they could include developing plans for corrective action.
State assessment tests are given in public school districts for English language arts and math for students in third through eighth grade and for high school juniors, and in science for students in grades five, eight and 11.
The superintendent said the 95% participation requirement is a source of frustration because the state allows students to opt out yet holds school districts accountable if they do not meet the standard.
Mendoza said his school district is attempting to boost participation rates by encouraging students to take the tests and is taking steps like revising the subjects they will be tested on and assuring them their teachers have done a good job of preparing them.
“We want them to feel comfortable about taking the tests,” he said.
La Grande School District Vice Superintendent Scott Carpenter said students are also being told they will be helping the school district by taking the tests, since the results will reveal the progress students are making.
“They can help us celebrate the growth and learning that is occurring and show the good work our teachers are doing,” he said.
Students have less incentive to take assessment tests now due to Senate Bill 744, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. The bill, passed during the COVI9-19 pandemic, states that students in the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024 no longer had to pass essential skills tests to graduate from high school in Oregon.
Previously, students could meet essential skills requirements by doing well on state assessment tests. Students who did not do well on assessment tests could still meet essential skills requirements via other means including the submission of work samples.