Along The Trail
September 08, 2016

A measure of student progress toward college and career readiness

Oregon Trail students continue to outperform their peers statewide

The Oregon Department of Education has released the 2015-2016 state assessment results, offering a snapshot of student academic growth. Results show Oregon Trail School District (OTSD) academic achievement remains above or near state averages in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math at all grade levels, and the percentage of OTSD students who meet or exceed the rigorous standards has increased over time.

Grades
ELA OTSD
ELA
Oregon
Math
OTSD
Math
Oregon
Grades
Science OTSD
Science Oregon
3-5
57.4
52.4
46.6
44.9
5
76.1
66.5
6-8
61.6
56.7
43.7
42.8
8
76.8
63.8
11
74.4
70
31.2
34.2
11
31.2*
60
 *Sandy High science tests were performed nearly one year late due to a test coordination glitch.

The big picture of measuring student success
While state assessments provide important data that helps improve teaching and learning, the results do not offer a complete picture of our students' achievement and growth. To help improve learning for individual students, interim assessments are administered by teachers at intervals during instruction. These assessments take many forms - written, verbal, teachers observation, or web-based adaptive assessments that quickly determine what a student knows and doesn't know in a course or content area. 

The interim assessments help measure student achievement and growth over time, and help inform teachers on any gaps in student learning so that they may adjust teaching strategies to improve students' learning. They provide teachers the ability to give individual students immediate feedback, and the opportunity to either intervene with additional instruction or offer new challenges for those who have mastered the concept or skill. 

Measuring college readiness
The SAT and ACT assessments are used by colleges and universities to determine the extent to which our graduates are prepared for college-level work. Sandy High students who participate in the SAT and/or ACT consistently outperform Oregon and national averages in the skills needed for college. Recently released ACT results show our students again scoring above state averages in English, Math, Reading and Science. 

Advancing student opportunities
Creating opportunities for student success is what education is all about. Superintendent Aaron Bayer said, "Oregon Trail educators work to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded, engaging education for each child. They encourage curiosity and a love of learning that will serve our students well throughout their lives."

Opportunities for OTSD students to excel include:
  • A new Oregon Promise preschool class at Sandy Grade School to give students age 4-5 a jump start on kindergarten readiness.
  • Increased student access to a global educational network and virtual course work. 
  • Lab classes and interventions for students not on track for meeting their academic goals.
  • A new middle college program in partnership with Mount Hood Community College, providing the opportunity for students to earn their high school diploma and up to 72 college credits.
  • A Blended Learning Center that remains a steady source of alternative opportunities for students seeking advancement or seeking a change of pace in academic content delivery, and
  • A comprehensive high school that offers CTE course offerings, an Honors Diploma, AP courses, online courses, and 26 college dual-credit courses totaling 164 credits.
Superintendent Bayer said, "Learning the skills necessary to successfully complete post-secondary certificates and degrees is an endeavor that begins in kindergarten. We need to undertake this journey together so our children arrive at the future they deserve."