MEMORANDUM NO. 003-2012-13 – Elementary and Middle School Course Codes

10/16/2012 8:42:00 AM

To: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Directors, Technology Directors, Registrars, and Other District Administrators
From: Doug Kosty, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Assessment and Information Services
Re: Elementary and Middle School Course Codes

Background
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is in the process of adopting a nationally developed school course classification system, (School Codes for the Exchange of Data (SCED)) for elementary and middle schools. The SCED code framework mirrors the secondary course code framework currently used by the Oregon Department of Education.

ODE is moving forward with adoption of the SCED codes and districts will need to implement these codes beginning in the 2013-14 school year. ODE will be working with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) to ensure the new course codes are aligned with licensure information.

Benefits

Allows ODE to consolidate course reporting to reduce the data collection burden on school districts.
o SY 2013-14 : Consolidation of Class Size and Class Roster
o SY 2014-15 : Consolidation of Class Roster and Staff Assignment
Makes it easier for school districts and states to maintain longitudinal student records electronically and facilitate student record exchange. The course descriptions are written in a general way so users can map their specific course to a common code.
Increases the quality of Oregon’s course data and the information presented in related reports.

Specifically, for elementary self-contained classrooms, districts will be going from a Multiple Subject/Self-Contained (99010) course code to a grade level course code that is not subject specific (Table 1).

Table 1
Kindergarten	73030
Grade 1	73031
Grade 2	73032
Grade 3	73033
Grade 4	73034
Grade 5	73035
Grade 6	73036

There will also be the option of using subject specific grade level codes. More information on grade level and subject specific codes can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2011801.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Anna Haley, Research Analyst at the Department of Education, at anna.haley@state.or.us eMail

or 503-947-2561.

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