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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.

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 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. 
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Oregon’s Science Assessment Blueprints

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

​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.

Scoring Guides

Support Documents

Model Scientific Inquiry High School Student Template

Scored Student Work

Student Work
Student work scored using the state Scoring Guide

Resources

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​Communication

  • To receive the ODE Science Newsletter, please subscribe here by entering your email address. You may update your ODE Newsletter subscriptions by clicking "Subscriber Preferences."

Professional Development

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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 Andy Byerley.