Oregon gets an "F" for lack of school data

Oregon is among the majority of states that are failing to provide accessible, transparent school performance data on student learning loss from COVID-19 shutdowns, a recent study found.

Why it matters: The lack of data makes it hard for parents to choose a school for their child using state report cards mandated by federal law or to put pressure on struggling schools.

Driving the news: The study by Arizona State's Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) released earlier this month found that most states make it hard to find pre-COVID data to compare how far today's students have fallen behind.

• Oregon and a dozen states received "F" ratings, and just seven states got "A" grades.

Between the lines: Oregon's "F" rating was due to academic performance and engagement data comparisons over time being difficult to find or being not available.

• Those measures include chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and proficiency in English and other school subjects.

Zoom in: According to results from its spring 2023 summative tests, the Oregon Department of Education found only 43% of students were proficient in English — a sign that many are not on track for college or the workforce post-high school.

• The proficiency rates for math and science were even bleaker, at 30% and 29%, respectively.

The bottom line: Many Oregon schools are struggling with chronic absenteeism post-pandemic, which is also impacting the state's flat graduation rate.