Student Assessment in Oregon - Transitioning from OAKS to Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and Math

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Hazel

Presentation on key education changes in Oregon, focusing on the state’s transition from OAKS to Smarter Balanced in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Explains Smarter Balanced’s purpose, what learners will gain, and how it differs from current assessments. Covers why the transition is needed, how Common Core State Standards shape instruction, major shifts in English and math, and how standards are linked to assessment results for achievement and readiness toward college and careers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

What You Will Learn

What is Smarter Balanced?

How Smarter Balanced differs from current assessments

Why Smarter Balanced?

Common Core State Standards

Key shifts in English standards

Key shifts in Math standards

Standards and Assessment Are Linked

How Smarter Balanced measures mastery and readiness

Slide 1 STUDENT ASSESSMENT IN OREGON T R A N S I T I O N I N G F R O M OA KS T O S MA RT E R BA L A N C E D A S S E S S M E N T S I N E N G L I S H L A N G UA G E A RT S A N D MAT H The following presentation addresses important education changes in the state of Oregon. Slide 2 WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: 􀀁 What is Smarter Balanced? 􀀁 How is Smarter Balanced different from current assessments? Table Talk Conversations: 􀀂 What are the new questions types? 􀀂 How will the assessments affect my student? 􀀂 How will the assessments affect test results (classroom/district)? 􀀂 How can I help my student? Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills English Language Arts, English Language Proficiency, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences Overview slide The purpose of our discussion is to share what SB is and how SB is different from OAKS. Handouts that will be available for the table discussions: Myths, Sample Questions, 2 Informational Sheets. Slide 3 WHY SMARTER BALANCED? The Smarter Balanced Assessment will improve the quality of instruction by blending CCSS, increasing rigor of instruction and preparation for college and career options. The following slides provide an overview of the transition underway. We begin by talking about Oregon’s shift to the Common Core State Standards. Next, we move into the importance of adopting tests that were developed to measure student learning of our new standards, and what Smarter Balanced looks like in comparison to OAKS in English and Math. After the presentation you will have an opportunity to view and discuss Smarter Balance sample test questions. We will also talk about what these changes look like for our students in terms of“achievement”. Slide 4 COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS T H E STO RY B E G I NS W IT HSTA N DA R DS It starts with standards…or learning goals for students. Slide 5 | KEY SHIFTS OF NEW STANDARDS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ENGLISH
A. Regular practice with complex texts and academic language
B. Reading, writing, and speaking using evidence
C. Building knowledge by reading more nonfiction | | | | | | | | | | | | | MATH
1. Math teachers now focus more deeply on a few key areas of math per grade.
2. Students build on their skills and knowledge so that each standard extends previous learning.
3. Students go beyond simple memorization to become “fluent” in math concepts and procedures. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Or | ego | n A | sse | ss | me | nto | fK | no | wle | dge | an | d | Ski l | ls | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | E |
glish |
nguag
|
Arts, E |
nglis
|
Lang |
ge Pr
| icie
| y
|

emat | s,

ence, |
S
ocial | S |
iences
| | | | | | | n La e h ua of nc th ic c Some of the key shifts in English standards include: • A more rigorous text complexity and an emphasis on (nonfiction) informational text. • The Common Core asks students to use evidence from sources to form their arguments, claims, etc. so that they build stronger argumentative and informative pieces. • The standards require balancing informational and literary reading so students can gain experience with and knowledge across subject matter. Some of the key shifts in Math standards include: 1. Common Core math focuses on fewer topics each grade so students build solid understandings of concepts, procedures, application of math. Here, we are trading mile-wide, inch-deep instruction for more in-depth study. 2. With Common Core, learning is connected across grades so stu

FAQs

What is Smarter Balanced and what will students learn from it?

Smarter Balanced is an assessment intended to measure achievement toward mastering Common Core State Standards. It provides information about student progress toward college and career readiness.

How is Smarter Balanced different from current assessments like OAKS?

Smarter Balanced measures mastery of CCSS and gives scores that act as a more realistic baseline. The presentation highlights that this baseline supports more accurate indicators for teachers, students, and parents.

How do Common Core shifts affect English and math instruction?

English instruction emphasizes complex texts, academic language, evidence-based discussion and writing, and balancing informational and literary reading. Math instruction focuses on fewer topics per grade, connects learning across grades, builds fluency in concepts and procedures, and applies skills to real-world problems.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Hazel