Science Assessment

Purpose

Oregon’s Statewide Science Assessments include computer-based assessments at grades 5, 8, and high school, as well as local performance assessments at grades K-High School.

OSAS Science Assessment Communication Toolkit

This toolkit has been created to provide districts, schools, teachers, families, and community members with more information about the Oregon Statewide Assessment System Science Assessment.

OSAS Science Assessment FAQ

OSAS Science Assessment Exemption Request
Question: I cannot find an opt-out form for the Science Assessment. If one exists, can you kindly direct me to where I can locate it? If it does not exist, what do we advise parents to do?

Answer: The term 'opt-out' refers to the legislatively created process that applies to the ELA and Math assessments. For science assessments, parents may request their student be exempted from testing based on disability or religion. Unlike the opt-out process for Math and ELA, parent requests for exemption from all other tests must satisfy the following conditions:

Be submitted in writing to the district
Include the reasons for request (disability or religion)
Propose an alternative learning activity for the student

Exemption requests are subject to district review and determination whether to approve. An ODE developed form for exemption requests does not exist. For more information regarding opt-out and exemption requests, please see the Test Administration Manual section 5.3.

Oregon Open Learning
Question: Where can can I find high quality science open education resources including performance tasks and supplemental lessons?

Answer: The Oregon Open Learning Hub is Oregon’s K-12 open educational resource (OER) repository. The Hub is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education, whose mission is to foster equity and excellence for every learner through collaboration with educators, partners, and communities. Please note: Resources on the Oregon Open Learning Hub are not endorsed by the Oregon Department of Education.

Science Interim Assessment Item Bank
Question: Does Oregon have a science interim assessment item bank? How do I get access to it?

Answer: Yes, Oregon purchased a science interim bank for school use. Please contact your building or district test coordinator to request access. More information and training materials can be found on the ODE Interim Assessment web page.

OSAS Science Assessment Achievement Level Descriptors, Test Specifications, Blueprint, and Reporting

Oregon’s Science Assessment Blueprints

OSAS Science Assessment Blueprint Summary (Updated 7/27/21) Provides information for Oregon teachers about the number of items and the content to be assessed on the Oregon Science Assessment

OSAS Scicence Assessment Reporting (Updated 12/21/21) This document provides information about the Oregon Statewide Assessment System Science Assessment Reporting including an explanation of data available on the Centralized Reporting System.

Science Assessment Reporting Information Presentation (Updated 01/03/2022)
Science Assessment Reporting Information Presentation (With Audio) (Updated 01/03/2022)

Achievement Standards (cut scores)
This reference document shows the achievement standards for Oregon’s Statewide Assessments by content are and grade/benchmark level
Achievement Level Descriptors

This document contains target descriptions, evidence required, and range achievement level descriptors

Oregon’s Science Assessment Resources

Simulation Item Example
Video of a simulation within a task item type
2019-2020 Science Information
- 2019-20 OSAS Science Assessment Informational PowerPoint

OSAS Science Assessment Item Specifications
This document contains specifications for writing science assessment items aligned to the 2014 Oregon Science Standards (NGSS) based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education. The document is not intended to replace the standards, but to present guidelines for the development of items used to measure the standards.
Item Type Tutorials List
Item type tutorials show users how to navigate the items and tools available while taking an online assessment. While testing, item type tutorials are accessible to students throughout the assessment.
Sample Test Portal
Sample tests provide students and teachers with a preview of test items to gain familiarity with item types as well as the functionality of features on the computer-based test.
Science Sample Test Preparation Resources

OSAS Science Sample Test Scoring Guides
OSAS Portal Resources webpage

Scoring Guides for sample tests can help teachers understand how test items will be scored on the Oregon Science Test. To see the available guides, use the search feature and refine tools in the OSAS Portal Resouces webpage to search for sample test scoring guides.

Local Performance Assessment Requirement

In Oregon, the Local Performance Assessment Requirement states that school districts shall administer one or more performance assessment each year to all students in grades 3 through 8 and in high school in: mathematics, scientific inquiry, speaking, and writing.

Performance assessments must be a standardized measure (e.g., activity, exercise, problem, or work sample scored by a common scoring instrument, such as the official state scoring guides or another scoring guide adopted by the district) that is embedded in the school curriculum and evaluates the application of students’ knowledge and skills. Work Samples, scored using the official state scoring guide, are just one example of acceptable performance assessments. Districts have substantial flexibility when it comes to planning the performance assessments that will be used to fulfill this requirement.

Essential Skills and Local Performance Assessment Manual
This reference document describes the requirements for Local Performance Assessment administration.
2014 Oregon Science Standards aligned performance task resources (coming soon)
Examples of 3-dimensional tasks aligned to 2014 Oregon Science Standards
Scientific Inquiry and Engineering Design Examples
Examples of well-defined questions and problems

Scoring Guides

2014 Oregon Science Standards scoring guides (coming soon)
Scientific Inquiry and Engineering Design Scoring Guides
Includes State Scoring Guides and Student Language versions in Spanish and English

Support Documents

Model Scientific Inquiry High School Student Template

Grades K-3: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout
Grades K-3: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout Template
Grades K-3: The Engineering Design Notebook Template Instructions
Grades K-3: The Engineering Design Notebook Template
Grades 4-5: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout
Grades 4-5: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout Template
Grades 4-5: The Engineering Design Notebook Template Instructions
Grades 4-5: The Engineering Design Notebook Template
Grades 6-8: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout
Grades 6-8: The Engineering Design Notebook Instructions
Grades 6-8: The Engineering Design Notebook Student Template
High School: The Engineering Design Process Poster/Handout
High School: The Engineering Design Notebook Instructions
High School: The Engineering Design Notebook Student Template
Secondary Sample Student Language Engineering Design Scoring Template: PDF | MS Word document
This document represents one good approach for assisting students in developing a work sample using engineering design. Many other approaches are also possible. This template has been successfully used by several teachers in Oregon to help students produce Engineering Design Work Samples.
Model Scientific Inquiry Student Feedback Forms

Scored Student Work

Student Work
Student work scored using the state Scoring Guide

Resources

Communication and Professional Development Resources

Communication

Professional Development

Using Desmos on the OSAS Math and Science Assessments

Science Standards and Curriculum Webpage

2020-21 statewide assessment information and data links can be found on the 2020-21 Statewide Assessment Results webpage.

For more information about Oregon's Science Assessment, please contact Noelle Gorbett at 503-947-5928.