Overview
Student assessment is a vital component of high-quality education as it surfaces student thinking and helps educators respond in ways that support deeper learning. The Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) includes several resources that align with the Oregon K-12 Math Standards and support mathematics teaching and learning throughout the year. OSAS provides access to statewide summative tests, periodic interim tests, performance assessments, and formative assessment practices that Oregon districts can use as part of a balanced assessment system.
OSAS Statewide Summative Assessment
Statewide summative tests in mathematics are designed to provide key information that helps schools and districts evaluate how well they are meeting the needs of students across various focal groups. These tests are federally required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Most students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will take a general form of Oregon’s summative math test, developed in collaboration with the
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and delivered online by a trained Test Administrator (TA). The general test is delivered in two portions: a Math Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and a Math Performance Task (PT).
Some students, as determined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, may take an alternate form of the assessment, called the
Oregon Extended (ORExt) Math Test. The ORExt Math Test is developed in collaboration with
Behavioral Research and Teaching and is delivered in a one-on-one format by a trained Qualified Assessor (QA).
- OSAS Target Explorer
A comprehensive resource to understand the connections between claims, targets, and Oregon’s K-12 Math Standards. Each OSAS assessment target includes standards-specific guidance, Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs), OSAS Sample Items, and links to OSAS Interim Assessments.
- Smarter Content Explorer
This website provides interactive connections between Oregon’s previous K-12 Math Standards and assessment Claims and Targets. Additional resources include accessibility guidelines, scoring rubrics, and more. For more information on navigating and using the website, please refer to the following
Smarter Content Explorer video.
- OSAS Sample and Training Tests
Practice tests are designed to prepare students for the experience of taking an OSAS test, including interacting with all item types and using accommodations and designated supports. No login is required; however, educators may use the TA Practice Site to proctor the test to better understand the test delivery interface. - OSAS Sample Item Database
Each year, Smarter Balanced releases test items to the public as examples of the various item types used on the OSAS Math Test, the range of cognitive challenge of test items, and for students to better understand how to interact with the testing interface. These items can be used instructionally, in professional learning, included in newsletters to families, and more.
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Assessment Resources Use Chart
This document provides a side-by-side comparison of training tests, practice tests, and interim assessments to help teachers decide which tool best fits their needs.
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Development and Design
Content and Item Specifications translate Oregon K-12 Mathematics Standards into assessment frameworks and evidence.
- Mathematics Construct-Relevant Vocabulary
Quick reference document that includes the construct relevant vocabulary for grades 3-8 and high school, sourced from the Claim 1 item specifications.
- Oregon Mathematics Performance Task Scoring Rubrics
Includes Performance Task Scoring Rubrics for use in preparing for the OSAS Mathematics Test.
4 Point Item Rubric, 3 Point Item Rubric, 2 Point Item Rubric, 1 Point Item Rubric
- Read Aloud Guidelines for OSAS ELA and Mathematics Tests (English)(Spanish)
Human test readers must use these guidelines for students using Read
Aloud or Read Aloud in Spanish designated support. Recommendations for
use are detailed in the Oregon Accessibility Manual.
- Understanding Student Scores
- Assessment Results
The reports on this page display the percent of students meeting or exceeding the achievement standards that were in place during the academic year the results are reported.
- Cross-Sectional (Target) Reports
Cross-sectional reports show the performance of students on grade-level targets compared to proficiency, as well as which of these targets are relative strengths and weaknesses. Additional resources, including a Canvas course, can be found on the Assessment Professional Development webpage. - Achievement Standards (cut scores)
This reference document shows the achievement standards for Oregon’s Statewide Assessments by content area and grade/benchmark level.
Effectively Using OSAS Results (Canvas Course)
ODE has partnered with Southern Oregon ESD to create an on-demand asynchronous professional learning course to help district leaders, school administrators, and teachers use their OSAS results effectively. The course consists of five one-hour modules delivered through Canvas and is available at no cost to Oregon educators. Details and registration can be
found here.
Participants will gain a greater understanding of the following key concepts:
- Understanding OSAS test design is key to understanding how to use OSAS test results.
- Student performance across assessment targets, not overall proficiency rates, provides the most helpful data for use in continuous improvement.
- Trends in target results can inform curriculum planning, instructional pacing, and professional learning.
- Connections can be made between assessment targets and standards that can help educators implement powerful formative assessment practices in the classroom.
OSAS Interim Assessments
OSAS Interim Assessments are available statewide at no cost and designed to be embedded within curricula to support teaching and learning throughout the school year.
Oregon offers over 90 Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs) – short, just-in-time tests that elicit evidence of student thinking across the full depth, breadth, and complexity of the
Oregon K-12 Math Standards, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Most IABs contain around 15 items and take most students about 30-45 minutes to complete. Results from IABs directly inform teaching and learning and connect with the Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers platform, which provides supplemental instructional resources and formative assessment strategies. Other distinguishing features of Oregon’s interim assessments are:
- IABs are available at no cost for use in all Oregon public school districts and public charter schools
- IABs can be easily embedded within mathematics unit maps (learn how)
- IABs include all accessibility supports available in Oregon’s statewide summative tests
- IABs can be used outside of students’ grade level
Implementing the OSAS Interim Assessments (Canvas Course)
ODE has partnered with Southern Oregon ESD to create an on-demand asynchronous professional learning course to help teachers, school administrators, and district leaders learn how to implement the OSAS Interim Assessments. The course consists of five one-hour modules delivered through Canvas and is available at no cost to Oregon educators. Details and registration can be
found here.
Participants will gain a greater understanding of the following key concepts:
- Understand Oregon's Statewide Assessment System, including interim assessments and formative assessment practices
- Gain a deeper understanding of how to assess the complexity of Oregon’s Academic Content Standards
- Select appropriate interim assessment blocks (IABs) to administer to students in alignment with curriculum goals
- Access data to identify instructional strengths and areas where additional support is needed to maximize student learning
- Build and sustain appropriate uses of the OSAS Interim Assessments within created or existing curriculum maps and pacing guides
Performance Assessment
Oregon public school districts and public charter schools are required to locally administer
Performance Assessments in math problem solving to students annually in grades 3 – 8 and at least once in high school.
Performance assessments measure students’ application of mathematical concepts and skills in authentic scenarios, often directly aligned with the Oregon’s Mathematical Practice Standards. Math performance assessments often require students to make sense of a problem, reason mathematically using a variety of tools, and produce mathematical representations that explain their thinking. Typically, performance assessments are scored against common criteria.
Oregon’s
Local Performance Assessment requirement champions the value of performance-based assessments. Districts and public charter schools must administer one or more performance assessments each year to all students in grades 3 through 8 and at least once in high school in the content areas of writing, speaking, math problem solving, and scientific inquiry. ODE encourages districts to regularly administer local performance assessments throughout their curriculum.
Scoring Guide and Feedback Forms
For local performance assessments, districts may locally develop scoring guidelines so that they can provide feedback to students, or they may use the state Scoring Guide.
Sample Tasks and Scored Student Work
Other Resources
- Grade 3 - 5 Formula Sheet:
- Grade 6 - 8 Formula Sheet:
- High School Formula Sheet:
- Mathematics Problem Solving Tips
Tip sheet for students to use as they learn about the state Scoring Guide
Additional Resources
These resources for educators, districts, families, and community members further explore math standards, instructional supports, and assessment. Deepen your understanding of Oregon’s K-12 Math Standards, which drive our statewide assessment, and stay connected to OSAS and math education updates, as well as professional learning opportunities designed to enrich your instruction and assessment practices in math education.
Communication
- Oregon Math Educator Update Newsletter
Sign up for ODE’s periodic math newsletter to get regular updates and links to math opportunities across Oregon. - Video overviews of statewide assessment:
- Assessment Communication Toolkits
Available in over 10 languages, these toolkits highlight the value of participating in Oregon’s Statewide Assessment System. Separate resources are designed for students, families, educators, and more.
The
Oregon Math Leaders Network is a community of math practitioners who work together to implement and support math teaching and learning in Oregon. Participants include teacher leaders, TOSAs, program administrators, college faculty, and math community partners. The network is open to anyone who identifies as a math leader – join today!
The OML network meets virtually each month to support each other personally and professionally by asking critical questions, collaborating on problems of practice, and sharing our work. Because this network spans the state, the topics of our collaboration will generally be driven by district needs.
The virtual meetings are generally on the third Thursday of each month from 8:30 - 9:30 AM PT.
Register now for the 2025-26 Zoom series. Check the
ODE Mathematics webpage for additional leadership development events.
For more information about Oregon's Mathematics Assessment, please contact
Andrew Byerley.