Oregon’s low test scores have many causes

The state of Oregon consistently ranks close to last in national rankings and ranks 47th In the latest “Nation’s Report Card.” 

Oregon is ranked 47th in the overall education system according to “Then Nation Report Card” (NAEP) data collecting. Oregon’s lowest rankings are reading with 42.5% and math 31%, according to U.S. News. Oregon’s graduation rate is 83% and Douglas’s graduation rate is 73%.  

One factor that could lead to low test scores was the COVID pandemic, according to business teacher John Green-Hite. When COVID hit in 2019 Students that are now freshman were in 4th grade. School shutdowns made it so students couldn’t come back to school for around two years which made them struggle in their development in their skills in math, science and English.

Green-Hite believes that due to students missing fourth and fifth grade they are getting lower scores because those grades are for basic math, science and reading skills to get ready for middle school. When students jumped back into middle school while just coming off of a very large break that made students’ test scores drop. Due to incoming freshmen that have now taken fourth and fifth grade Oregon might be getting higher ranked in the future, due to students having that vital part of their academics.

Also during the pandemic, the state Department of Education waived the state testing graduation requirement. Before, juniors had to either pass the Smarter Balanced state testing, or pass work samples in reading and writing in order to graduate. That requirement was waived until 2029, taking away a practical motivation to do well on the tests.

“A lot of students don’t care about state testing so they get low scores because it doesn’t affect their grade,” vice principal Joe Talley said. “These low scores can have a massive impact on a school’s image.”

Douglas’s population has been decreasing over the last few years, from 3,400 students to 2,400, and the district is concerned that low test scores will lead to even lower enrollment. 

“People prefer to put their kids in a school with high test scores rather than lower scores,” Talley said. “And when low scores are public to the population the number of students can decrease.”

A new possible culprit for low test scores will be the use of artificial intelligence like ChatGPT to complete assignments like English essays.

‘I think the reason Oregon is low ranking could be how many students are using ChatGPT.” said sophomore Sabrina Ramirez. “Instead of trying to retain information, students just want to finish their homework and get done easily.” 

There are multiple factors that could be contributing to Oregon’s low ranking in state tests, including socioeconomic status, families opting out of tests, language barriers, and high rates of chronic absenteeism.

“There is no one reason why students’ test scores have been lowering,” said Talley