By Savannah Levin

Juniors at OCHS have been participating in Oregon state testing this spring for their core classes. Tests were in English, Math and Science. 

As of right now, these tests are not a requirement for graduation. This is because the classes 2021-2024 attended online school during the pandemic. The Oregon Department of Education removed the testing requirement for those years making it so they are no longer used as a graduation requirement.

Although state testing hasn’t been a requirement it’s still recommended students take the tests. There are opt out forms available for families and students, but schools highly encourage students to take them.  

Schools use data from the tests to see the learning growth in the children. Although  “it’s not the only way to find information from the students”, said Sara DeBoy, Assistant Superintendent of Oregon City Schools,  it is an easy and effective one.  

Because online school caused “a loss of interest," said Dylan Inloes, it made it difficult for teachers and students to be learning and teaching to their full potential.

Once online learning came to an end, and school started back up, so was state testing. One thing was noticed though. Test results were at a low. Schools started making plans to put things back on track.

This wasn’t in just one school district though, nationwide the results had decreased, due to all children missing out on crucial learning while taking part in online school. 

Coming out of COVID, and to now, there has already been a gradual change that has been noticed. Although it is not abrupt, it is slowly increasing each year which is starting to show the recovery from online learning.

OSAS (Oregon Statewide Assessment System) is in charge of assigning the language arts and math tests. While each state decides whether to use science and social studies. 

States also provide certain standards (division 22) which “need to be followed”, Sara DeBoy shares. They look to see if children are meeting these standards, and if the system and curriculum Oregon is using seems to be working.

Students interviewed in Mr. McDonalds class, an english teacher at OCHS, said they feel it is “unnecessary” and “a waste of time”. Although the tests do take time it is a way for the school to understand what's going on. 

While testing may seem irrelevant to many students, it is a key way to measure how students are doing as schools reemerge from the pandemic. 

Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash