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QuickTake:
The district’s choice to put its fifth grade science scores under the microscope is meant to measure the effectiveness of its new elementary science curriculum after the state ruled the district’s previous science curriculum did not meet state requirements.
Springfield Public Schools is choosing to report and set goals yearly for its fifth grade science test scores, in accordance with a new state accountability law, Senate Bill 141.
The choice is a response to the Oregon Department of Education’s requirement that each district choose a local growth metric, in addition to seven other state-mandated Performance Growth Target goals revolving around attendance, graduation rates and math and reading scores. The state wants districts to achieve those goals by 2030 to improve the state’s academic outcomes. If yearly goals are not met, the law allows the state to increasingly get involved with district operations.
The choice also comes after the Oregon Department of Education ruled that Springfield’s previous elementary science curriculum did not meet state standards. The district is rolling out its new elementary science curriculum this fall.
Assistant Superintendent Brian Megert and Interim Superintendent Shawn Stover presented briefly about the fifth-grade science goal at the Monday, Sept. 14, school board meeting, saying the district chose the local measure because of administrators’ interest in how students respond to the new curriculum.
“One of the things I have heard from the board is there was some question on if we’re teaching science or not in the elementary level,” Stover said. “This hopefully will give people some reassurance that we actually are, and we’re going to get measured on it.”
Megert said the annual statewide assessment students take in the spring will be the measure of the district’s fifth-grade science performance, and this year’s results will be their baseline for the following three years of measured growth. Megert and Stover said administrators will present more detailed information about the district’s proficiency targets in a future meeting.
Bethel School District and Eugene School District 4J chose “academic growth” as their local metrics, using interim assessments to track progress. Stover said Springfield did not choose this same metric because the interim test brand the district currently uses for reading does not align with the state requirements. Springfield will start using a state-aligned interim assessment for reading next year.
