What are they?

The Essential Skills are nine cross-disciplinary skills that students should be developing across grades K- 12.

• Essential Skills Overview
• Essential Skills 101
• Definition of All Nine Essential Skills

What is required for graduation?

For students first enrolled in Grade 9 in 2010-2011 or later, three of the Essential Skills are graduation requirements:

1. Read and comprehend a variety of text
2. Write clearly and accurately
3. Apply mathematics in a variety of settings

How do students meet the graduation requirements?

Students prove that they have mastered these Essential Skills by earning at or above a cut score on one of the approved assessment options in their district.

• Assessment Options for Meeting the Essential Skill Graduation Requirements
  List of all assessment options and achievement standards

How were the Essential Skills developed?

The Essential Skills Task Force – comprised of educators from K-12, community college, higher education, students, and business/community representatives – worked together in 2007 to develop the Essential Skills policy. In 2008 the Essential Skills were available for public review and input was collected through online surveys as well focus groups. The Task Force incorporated the feedback and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for the Essential Skills were adopted by the Board on June 19, 2008.

Have more questions?

Our specialists are constantly gathering and updating common questions, and the answers can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.