An Oregon Department of Education (ODE) standards-setting meeting has resulted in recommended changes to the existing “cut scores” for statewide tests, and ODE now wants public input about those recommendations.

Public review sessions are set for:

• Redmond – Monday, January 8, 4-5:30 p.m. at High Desert ESD and 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Redmond Library
• Portland – Wednesday, January 10, 4-5:30 p.m. at Multnomah ESD and 7-8:30 p.m. at Portland School District
• Eugene – Tuesday, January 16, 4-5:50 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. at Lane ESD
• Roseburg – Monday, January 22, 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. at Douglas ESD
• Salem – Wednesday, January 24, 4-5:30 p.m. at Willamette ESD and 7-8:30 p.m. at Salem Public Library
• Pendleton – Monday, January 29, 4-5:30 p.m. at Umatilla/ Morrow ESD and 7-8:30 p.m. at Hermiston School District
• Medford – Wednesday, February 7, 4-5:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. at the Medford Library

The Dec. 11-13 standards-setting meeting, attended by more than 275 teachers, administrators, education specialists, parents and business/community members, resulted in newly recommended cut scores for statewide tests in reading, mathematics and science, as well as  initial scores were recommended for the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA).  Recommended changes include:

• Raising elementary reading and math achievement standards by 3 points at both grades 3 and 5.
• Reducing grade 10 reading and math achievement standards by 3 points. 
• Reducing grade 8 math achievement standards by one point, and maintaining grade 8 reading at the current level.
• Raising grade 5 science achievement standards by two points, and grades 8 and 10 science achievement standards by one point.

More information about the sessions and registration forms can be found at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=850.