Oregon’s K-12 Test Scores Show Some Progress, Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels​

NEWS RELEASE
October 2, 2025
Media Contact: Liz Merah

Overall results show signs of progress in Math and English Language Arts, highlight continued need for focused support across Oregon's schools.

(Salem, OR) - Today, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released the 2024-25 Oregon Statewide Assessment System scores, showing some areas of progress in student achievement alongside continued challenges as schools continue to recover from impacts of the pandemic. Participation rates improved across all subjects - most notably at the high school level - and gains were seen in Math, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science across several grades. It's the first year that overall scores increased in all three subjects since testing resumed in the 2021-22 school year following the global pandemic. However, overall achievement remains below pre-pandemic levels, and persistent opportunity gaps highlight the need for continued focus and sustained support for Oregon's students and educators.

"Today's results are a sobering reminder that we must stay the course to make sure every student, no matter where they live or learn, has the support to succeed," said Governor Tina Kotek. "Oregon's students deserve a system that fosters success and delivers the results our students, families, and educators expect."

"Oregon's most recent test results show both progress and persistent challenges. We know recovery from the disruptions of the past few years will take time, but we cannot afford to wait to act. The new accountability system established through SB 141 positions us to accelerate student learning by focusing on what matters most: early literacy, math readiness, attendance, and meaningful supports for districts. This is about building a system of shared responsibility and continuous improvement so that every student, in every community, has the opportunity to succeed."

ODE remains committed to maintaining high expectations for every student and supporting educators in the hard work ahead. Several targeted initiatives are already underway, including statewide investments in early literacy best practices (through the Early Literacy Success Initiative) and summer learning with a focus on literacy. Additional areas of focus include continued and increased investment in birth through grade 12 literacy, expanded access to extended learning opportunities, implementation of high-quality instructional materials, and the launch of Oregon's new Education Accountability Act. As these intentional supports expand, Oregon expects to see lasting gains for students.

Additional Highlights

• More students are taking the assessments. Statewide participation rates for each subject area are three to five percentage points higher than 2021-22.
• • Still far from federal requirement of 95% participation
  • 11th graders continue to participate below levels needed to support intended uses, such as comparison of results
• Oregon's two largest school districts (Portland and Salem-Keizer) increased both Math and ELA scores compared to the previous year.
• Proficiency increased in Math in almost all grade levels and in English Language Arts in the majority of grade levels.
• Among student groups, African American/Black students, Hispanic/Latino students, and Students Experiencing Poverty increased overall scores in both Math and ELA, as did 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

About State Summative Tests

Each year, Oregon students in Grades 3-8 and 11 take statewide summative tests in English Language Arts and Math (students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 also take a Science test). These assessments help show how well our education systems are supporting student learning. The 2024-25 results include students enrolled on May 1, 2025 who responded to at least five computer adaptive items or one performance task. Oregon's state assessment system continues to strive for balance by including a focus on culturally responsive practices, which requires a broad range of data sources in addition to academic assessments. For example, results from the Student Education Equity Development Survey help add valuable context to state test scores, building a more complete and meaningful picture of strengths and areas for growth in our education system.

The 2024-25 Oregon Statewide Assessment System results are available on the ODE website.

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