State assessment data shows the COVID pandemic had a detrimental impact on students statewide as student achievement fell across the state as well as the Hermiston School District.
Statewide, 43.6 percent of all assessed students met the proficiency standard for their grade level in English language arts and 30.4 percent met proficiency in mathematics. Proficiency in the Science assessment statewide was 29.5 percent.
The following stats show how Hermiston students did compared to the state average in English Language Arts, math, and science.
Elementary results:
Grade 3
- State Performance ELA (39.4%) Mathematics (39.4)
- HSD Performance ELA (32.6%) Mathematics (35.6%)
Grade 4
- State Performance ELA (42.5%) Mathematics (36.1%)
- HSD Performance ELA (40.7%) Mathematics (34.2%)
Grade 5
- State Performance ELA (46.8%) Mathematics (30%) and Science (30.3%)
- HSD Performance ELA (46.3%) Mathematics (32.2%) and Science (17.6%)
Middle School results:
Grade 6
- State Performance ELA (40.5%) Mathematics (27.5%)
- HSD Performance ELA (44.2%) Mathematics (32.3%)
Grade 7
- State Performance ELA (46.3%) Mathematics (29.5%)
- HSD Performance ELA (44.5%) Mathematics (19.6%)
Grade 8
- State Performance ELA (43.9%) Mathematics (25.9%) and Science (27.2%)
- HSD Performance ELA (42.3%) Mathematics (22%) and Science (23.5%)
Hermiston High School results:
Grade 11
- State Performance ELA (46.9%) Mathematics (20.4%) and Science (31.7%)
- HSD Performance ELA (43.8%) Mathematics (17%) and Science (31.7%)
Last school year (2021-2022) was the first year since 2018-2019 that statewide assessment results have been available, due to the canceling of statewide assessments as a condition of COVID-19 and the impact to schools.
Overlooking the inconsistency of the past couple of years, the Oregon Statewide Assessment is administered annually in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Students in grades 3-8 and 11 take the English language arts and mathematics assessments, and grades 5, 8, & 11 are administered the science assessment.
“These assessment results are in line with other assessment measures we have thoroughly analyzed, in an effort to identify the supports and resources our students and teachers need to rectify the impact of the pandemic on the academic success of our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tricia Mooney. “The results confirm that the systems we recently put in place are well-suited to this task. Hermiston School District educators do the hard work each day to make our future-focused vision a reality; so, all Hermiston children graduate high school with the knowledge and skills they need to find success in their career and life pursuits.”
Students and families of current 4-9 and 12th grade students will have access to individual student reports later this fall. Each student will receive a report for language arts and mathematics explaining the achievement score, along with strengths and weaknesses.
HSD officials say the district has a focused strategic plan that promotes high levels of collaboration and increased academic rigor, as it serves students based on their strengths and needs. This strategic focus aligns finances and personnel resources to improve curriculum materials, enhance technology, and refine instructional practices. The plan also has a component identifying “high levels of family and community partnerships” to bring families and educators together to work collaboratively in supporting student achievement.
HSD encourages parents to discuss any questions they may have about their student’s achievement with the student’s teacher. Parents are also encouraged to learn how they can support a student’s learning at home.
Detailed state, district, and school reports can be found online.
