September 20, 2019 4:20 a.m.
Roseburg Public School students are achieving at rates close to or above state averages.
That’s according to district officials, after the Oregon Department of Education released assessment data on Thursday. The data is meant to provide a snapshot of student achievement based on testing that was conducted the previous spring. Assessments are given in grades 3 to 8 and again in grade 11, in the content areas of math and English language arts.
The release said district officials are confident that a number of support systems and strategies put into place in recent years will continue to yield higher test scores across the district.
Superintendent Jared Cordon said the district has “a lot of room for continued improvement”. He said while the district is “extremely proud of the hard work our teachers, staff and students put in to each school day, it is my top priority to ensure they all have the resources and supports they need to increase achievements”.
The release said the state assessment information is one of several benchmark and progress measurements that the district uses throughout the year to gain perspective on how much students are learning. In October, the state will release report cards that will provide a broader picture of how district students have grown, according to the release.
Cordon said “our goal is to ensure every student is far exceeding state averages and that every student is graduating”. He said recent support from the Legislature through the Student Success Act will give the district the resources needed to better determine the most effective ways to help students achieve.
The release said a number of programs have been implemented in recent years to improve student achievement.
“Bright spots” in the data, according to the release include:
*Most improvement: 4th grade English language arts.
*Growth in 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th, grade English language arts.
*Growth in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade math.
Cordon said the district will continue to “strive to provide our students with the highest quality education possible”.