Hood River County School District (HRCSD) announces positive gains and tangible progress in the latest Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) scores, with notable year-over-year improvements in key subjects across multiple grade levels. This success reflects the school district's ongoing commitment to a balanced, integrated approach to student assessment, providing quality educational support and addressing learning needs at all levels.

The OSAS, which includes annual summative assessments, is a critical tool for measuring student learning and guiding classroom and district-wide decisions. These assessments allow students, parents, and educators to monitor mastery of key learning targets, pinpoint gaps in understanding, and make informed adjustments to instructional practices. The HRCSD Assessment Team is committed to a balanced approach to assessments by supporting a mix of formative, interim, and summative assessment practices, ensuring that assessment data are meaningful and actionable for all stakeholders.

Highlights from the 2025 Statewide Assessment Results

• English Language Arts (ELA): HRCSD’s average proficiency rate was 45.8%, surpassing the state average of 43%. This achievement was driven by strong year-over-year gains, particularly in grades 5, 6, and 7.
• Math: HRCSD’s average proficiency rate was 34.4%, which is above the state average of 31.5%. The school district saw excellent gains in grades 4 and 7.

“We are proud that our current math and ELA scores surpass the state average, but our commitment and expectation is for every student to demonstrate proficiency on the Oregon state assessment,” said Bill Newton, HRCSD Superintendent. “The gains that we are seeing are not accidental. They are a direct reflection of our district-wide focus on instructional quality, which includes implementing the Science of Reading, expanding sheltered instruction practices, our focus on AVID implementation, and adopting new, quality curricula.”

“While we celebrate these successes, we also recognize the room to grow, particularly in our overall proficiency in science and our continued focus on writing,” the Superintendent added. “Our current focus on writing instruction across all content areas is a strategic move, as strong writing skills not only improve ELA scores but also help students better articulate responses across disciplines.”

Included in Oregon’s definition of instruction, assessments play an essential role in education. They serve as tools that educators use to understand where students excel and where additional support is needed. Just as health professionals use various tools to assess and improve patient health, educators use assessments to monitor student growth and make informed decisions.

It is important to note that these results compare different groups of students tested at various times, rather than tracking one cohort over time. Therefore, the improvements reflect broad, successful instructional changes across the school district. This balanced approach enables HRCSD to tailor instruction to meet each student’s needs, creating an environment where all students can thrive.

Please contact the district office for more information on Hood River County School District’s assessment practices and results (hrcsd.curriculum@hoodriver.k12.or.us).