Overview of Essential Skills
The Assessment of Essential Skills graduation policy remains suspended through 2027-2028 as per the October 2023, Oregon State Board of Education decision in response to the recommendations found in the Senate Bill 744 Report: Community-Informed Recommendations for Equitable Graduation Outcomes.
The Oregon State Board of Education's extension of SB 744 applies to the Assessment of Essential Skills requirements for receiving a Regular or Modified Diploma. The suspension allows for the Legislature and State Board to take more comprehensive action in reference to those recommendations.
- All remaining Oregon graduation requirements, including challenging course credit requirements and personalized learning requirements, remain in effect.
NOTE - The following assessment requirements stay in effect:
- Local performance assessment requirements for students in grades 3 through 8 and at least once in high school continue as a requirement as described in OAR 581-022-2100.
Though not related directly to assessment, it is important to note that the education plan, education profile, and extended application graduation requirements remain in place, as well.
ODE will communicate with districts and the public regarding any policy actions related to high school diplomas in Oregon as they are made by the Legislature or State Board, respectively.
Please send questions regarding SB 744 to ODE.AssessmentTeam@ode.oregon.gov
The Nine Essential Skills are cross-disciplinary skills that students should be developing across grades K- 12.
For students first enrolled in Grade 9 in 2010-2011 or later, three of the Essential Skills are graduation requirements:
a. Read and comprehend a variety of text
b. Write clearly and accurately
c. Apply mathematics in a variety of settings
The
Essential Skills Task Force – comprised of educators from K-12,
community college, higher education, students, and business/community
representatives – worked together in 2007 to develop the Essential
Skills policy. In 2008 the Essential Skills were available for public
review and input was collected through online surveys as well focus
groups. The Task Force incorporated the feedback and Oregon
Administrative Rules (OARs) for the Essential Skills were adopted by the
Board on June 19, 2008.
Assessment of Essential Skills Resources
To support students, teachers, administrators, and parents learn what the expectations are for the Essential Skills requirement across K-12 curricula, ODE has provided additional links to administration resources, instructional planning resources, and data resources.
Please visit the Reading, Writing, or Mathematics Essential Skills pages for additional educator resources (e.g. administration resources, examples of scored student work samples, and scoring guides).