Oregon's Education Department Report Shows Schools ImprovingNovember 10, 2009 - One third of Oregon schools are 'outstanding' based on their reading and math scores. The Oregon Department of Education has been rating schools for the past ten years. The latest grade shows one of every four high schools 'in need of improvement' because of low test scores or graduation rates.
The ODE report shows most schools, including eight of every 10 middle schools, are stuck in the broad middle range, turning in a 'satisfactory' performance.
Crest Drive Elementary in Eugene made it to the “outstanding” category, a feat they’ve managed to accomplish for the last four years.
A few area schools, however, are in need of improvement: Kalapuya High School in the Bethel school district, as well as Eugene’s Network Charter School; Springfield High School; Willamette Leadership Academy in the Fern Ridge district; Junction City High School; and Siuslaw High School in Florence.
The Oregon Department of Education, which has graded public schools using a single method for 10 straight years, changed its approach this year. The new rating system is tougher on low performers, particularly high schools.
Two important changes to this year's method increase accountability of schools and ensure consistency in which schools are being identified as needing improvement: a Growth Model and simplified rating scale. The new Growth Model measures student learning over time to demonstrate whether schools are helping students make progress towards meeting state achievement standards. The new report card uses three overall ratings for schools: Outstanding, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement. Previously, schools had been identified as Exceptional, Strong, Satisfactory, Low, or Unacceptable.
Under the Growth Model, students performing below grade level are assigned targets for improving performance – typically with the goal of bringing the student up to grade level standards within three years. For accountability purposes on the report card, schools are evaluated based on whether students are hitting the targets set by the Growth Model.
The new simplified rating system will more closely align Oregon’s state rating system with federal No Child Left Behind ratings. Previously, a school could have received a “Strong” or “Exceptional” rating on Oregon’s school report card and also be rated as “Not Meeting” Adequate Yearly Progress on the federal report. This will not be possible under the new rating system which place limits on report card ratings based on AYP designations.
| 
