Dear Families,

State Testing is just around the corner for grades 6-8, beginning the first week of February. During the first round of testing, all 6th-8th graders will be tested in the area of Reading and Math. 8th grade students will also test in Science. I have included a schedule below showing the dates each grade will be testing, some information regarding testing, and rationale for why testing our students is important.

WHY TEST STUDENTS ANNUALLY FOR CONTENT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?

Achievement Standards (also called "Performance Standards") define the requirements for a student to meet and exceed on Oregon's Assessments of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS Testing) by content area and by grade level. An achievement standard is an objective definition of a certain level of performance, in a content area at a particular grade.

The Oregon Statewide Assessment Program has four major functions or purpose:

(1) to provide information on individual student achievement on performance standards set by the State Board of Education;

(2) to provide information for policy decisions by the legislature, the governor, the State Board of Education, and local school districts;

(3) to support instructional program improvement efforts; and

(4) to inform the public about student achievement in Oregon schools.    

Boring Middle School will begin the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS TESTING) on February 1, 2012. Every student at BMS will participate, and scores will be reported to teachers within a matter of days. Any student that meets or exceeds the content area test of OAKS testing for their particular grade level will not test a second time. Students not meeting the OAKS testing in a content area for their appropriate grade will have additional opportunities for assessment using OAKS testing following individualized interventions and academic skill supports. It is the goal of BMS to have every student meet the expected criteria in every subject at their particular grade level.

It is important that parents and families understand that testing is tiring and stressful for students. A bit of extra attention and effort on your part can help your child be as successful as possible. (Please encourage your child, plan time for a good night's sleep before each testing day, and a healthy breakfast each morning that your child will be testing. Please encourage your student to avoid sweets for breakfast such as donuts, syrups, and sugared cereal). Please follow up by talking to your child about the testing and how she/he is feeling about the test questions they are being expected to know. Please make every effort to have your child attend school and arrive on time. All students must complete each test, so if your child is absent on a testing day, she/he will need to be out of class on another day to make up the missed testing.

Results from the state assessment will be included with your child's report card at the end of the year. Please familiarize yourself with your student's individual assessment results. Any student not meeting should spend additional time outside of school developing deficient content knowledge and skills to improve their opportunity to be a successful student and to stay on track for high school graduation. 

Courtney Murphy

Boring Middle School, Principal