English Language Arts - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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English Language Arts - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about English Language Arts instruction below.

1. What are Oregon's graduation requirements in English?

The State Board is phasing in new diploma requirements.
Classes of 2008 and 2009: Three credits of English
Beginning with the class of 2010: Four credits of English

2. Why do we have English Language Arts standards?

In 1995, the state legislature amended the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century, requiring the State Board of Education to adopt content standards in English Language Arts and other subjects. The Department develops content standards with input and review from nationally recognized curriculum experts and Oregon educators and citizens. The first standards (at benchmark years of 3, 5, 8 and high school) were adopted by the State Board in 1996.

With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Oregon began the creation of grade-level standards. English Language Arts Grade-level Foundations for kindergarten through grade 2 were favorably reviewed by the State Board in June 2002. English Language Arts Grade-level Standards for grades 4 through high school were adopted by the State Board in January 2003. The standards will next be reviewed in 2010.

3. How were the English Language Arts standards developed?

The English/Language Arts Grade-level Standards were developed over three years using benchmarking results from sources including Achieve (“Measuring Up: A Report on Education and Standards and Assessments for Oregon,” 2000); Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). In addition, feedback was received from multiple rounds of English Content and Assessment Panel reviews, expert reviews, statewide public input session reviews, feedback questionnaire reviews mailed to all schools, and statewide teleconferencing reviews—all of which informed the revision process.

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