Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

Why Assessments Matter | October 2019 Education Update

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/10/2019 11:00 AM PDT

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Education Update: Oregon Department of Education

October 2019

Oregon Achieves... Together!
A Message from the Director of the Oregon Department of Education Colt Gill

Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill

Why Assessments Matter

The fact that more students took the English language arts and mathematics summative assessments in 2018-2019 means there is more data to better understand the needs of our students.

The higher assessment participation will improve and inform our implementation of the Student Success Act over the next few school years.

The more data we gather on our students’ needs, the better we can advance implementation of the Student Success Act by helping school districts and the state target funds where they are needed most. When students opt out of assessments the overall results and our statewide understanding of student performance in these subject areas can be misinformed, especially if specific student groups are over-represented in the opt outs.

Overall, nearly one percent more students took the English language arts and mathematics summative assessments in 2018-19 than in the previous school year. The assessments are taken by students in grades three through eight, plus high school.

Putting Assessments Into Context

Assessment data is a partner in our mission to foster equity and excellence for every learner. As a state we should know how our students are doing in reading, writing, and math and we should strive to improve these outcomes for all student groups. This is especially true where the data shows our schools are not addressing disparities between student groups. Literacy and math are gateway skills that allow students to access other learning and succeed in life. But, we need to emphasize that this does not describe the whole of our children’s skills or assets.

Welcome, Dr. Chavez!

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is pleased to introduce Dr. Juan Carlos Chavez as our new Assistant Superintendent for our Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). In working to dismantle and restructure systems and institutions that create a dichotomy of beneficiaries over oppressed & marginalized peoples, it is imperative that ODE leads for change toward education equity in both the specific work of EDI and also across offices and teams. Under the guidance and direction of Dr. Chavez, EDI will continue to lead, bolster, and drive this work within the agency.

Equity Focus

BY: Dr. Juan Carlos Chavez

I am pleased to join the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) as the Assistant Superintendent for Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI). I look forward to celebrating many achievements like the one highlighted below with the diverse communities we serve:

Congratulations to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on the grand opening of Nixyáawii Education Center on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Nixyáawii Education Center represents the enduring commitment to education held by current and past generations of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

More about the Center opening.

Mercedes Muñoz Named 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year

On Friday, October 4 during an all-school assembly, Franklin High School (FHS) special education teacher Mercedes Muñoz was surprised with the honor of 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year for the encouragement, equity and voice she offers to her students every day.

In a letter of recommendation, Muñoz was referred to as “a force of nurture.” In her role as department lead for special education at FHS, Muñoz is seen as a champion in advocating for the learning needs of all students and ensuring they are seen, heard and prepared for the transition from high school. She is highly involved in the recruitment of historically underserved students in Franklin’s Advanced Placement Program, and serves as a member of the FHS Equity Team, Safety Committee and Poetry Slam Committee.

ODE In the News

Here is some of the coverage of the 2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year announcement:

My Journey as 2019 Oregon Teacher of the Year

By: Keri Pilgrim Ricker, Churchill High School, Eugene 4J

I expected a plaque and a handshake. I expected to walk back into my classroom and resume business as usual. What I experienced was one of the most challenging, inspiring, and rewarding years of professional growth in my career.

Let me start by saying it is hard to accept an award like this. Teachers are not used to public recognition of the work that they do, and they do tremendous, phenomenal, work. When they announced my name as 2019 Oregon State Teacher of the Year I immediately thought of the many educators I knew who could and should be recognized for their unwavering commitment to students.

Welcome Shadiin Garcia!

The Educator Advancement Council is pleased to introduce Shadiin Garcia as its new, permanent Executive Director. Shadiin is Chicana and Laguna Pueblo from New Mexico and has lived in Oregon for 16 years. She has worked for over 20 years as a teacher, public school administrator, researcher, policy analyst, Indigenous education leader and as a consultant. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Yale University in English with a specialization in education; a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and a PhD in Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education from the University of Oregon.

Find out more about Shadiin Garcia.

Be sure to check out our Twitter page and follow us to stay up-to-date on everything that's happening in education in Oregon!

Student Success Act Stories

It’s heartening to see so many news reports about school districts starting the engagement process. Pro-active engagement by school districts with all the communities they serve is a key requirement for school districts to earn grant funds through the Student Investment Account (SIA). The SIA is a grants program within the Student Success Act.

The news reports are appearing all over the state, including Roseburg, Milton-Freewater, Seaside, Springfield, Molalla River, and Crook County.

Read what Greater Albany and Gladstone Districts are doing.

FAFSA/ORSAA Challenge Aims to Increase Financial Aid Applicants among High School Seniors

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Oregon Department of Education, and participating partners are pleased to announce the recent launch of the FAFSA/ORSAA Challenge, a statewide initiative aimed to help students in Oregon’s high school Class of 2020 to afford and achieve their college and career goals.

Find out more about the Challenge!

Register Now for a Threat Assessment Workshop

The U.S. Secret Service and the DHS-Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) invite you to attend a FREE USSS National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) Workshop on Individuals Exhibiting Concerning Behavior.

This training is designed with audiences like K-12 administrators, school/campus safety officials, counselors and mental health specialists in mind.