Oregon Education System Ranking: An In-Depth Analysis
Oregon's education system has been a subject of increasing scrutiny due to declining test scores and concerns about the effective use of resources. While the state's history is rich and its economy is evolving, its education system faces significant challenges that demand attention and strategic solutions.
Historical Context and Economic Shifts
Oregon's history began with its indigenous people dating back thousands of years and growing to over 200,000 people prior to the arrival of European settlers. The exploration of the Northwest followed suit, with Spanish and British explorers sailing up the Pacific coast in the 17th and 18th centuries. Then, following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Oregon was mapped by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. In the 1830s, both American and British settlers arrived via the Oregon Trail. The territory and the British realm that became part of Canada was set at the 49th parallel. And in 1859, Oregon was admitted to the United States. Historically, the Pacific Ocean coastal state's economy has been based on fishing, timber and inland agriculture. In modern times, it has been transitioning to service industries and manufacturing. Most significantly, the counties centered around Portland have attracted a growing high-technology industry. Oregon is among the most trade-dependent states.
Declining Test Scores and National Rankings
Oregon’s education system is not performing well, and identifying the source of the problem is necessary to improve it. Scores for Oregon students on standardized tests continue to be among the nation’s lowest. On Jan. 29, the National Center for Education Statistics released results for the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a biennial set of math and reading exams administered to students in grades four and eight. Oregon students scored lower relative to their peers in other states in three of the four exams than they did in 2022. Only in eighth-grade reading did Oregon students gain.
Oregon fourth-grade scores ranked 48th in math and 46th in reading. Eighth-grade scores ranked 38th in math and 31st in reading.
The Urban Institute recalculates NAEP scores for each state to account for student demographics, including poverty, race and native language. The exercise places Oregon last in both fourth-grade exams, 49th in eighth-grade math and 47th in eighth-grade reading.
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According to a WalletHub study released, Oregon ranks in the bottom five for education systems among all 50 states. The study compared factors such as math test scores, safety, and dropout rates, placing Oregon at 47th overall. The state also ranked low for math and reading test scores, coming in at 45th and 44th, respectively. The dropout rate is high across the state, sitting at 7th worst in the country.
The Spending-Performance Disconnect
Per-student spending in Oregon has increased substantially in recent years even as NAEP scores have dropped. Oregon’s fourth grade math average rose by one point in 2024, to 229. According to the National Education Association, meanwhile, Oregon’s estimated per-student spending for the 2023-24 school year rose to $16,507, or 22nd nationally. From 2023 to 2024, Oregon’s spending per student increased by 4.65%, the eighth-highest rate in the nation. As the numbers show, Oregon’s problem isn’t funding. Rather, Oregon’s public education system does not make effective use of the money available to it.
Factors Contributing to Low Rankings
Several factors contribute to Oregon's low education rankings. These include:
- High Dropout Rate: Oregon's dropout rate is among the highest in the country, indicating significant challenges in keeping students engaged and in school.
- Ineffective Resource Allocation: Despite increased spending per student, academic outcomes have not improved, suggesting that resources are not being used effectively.
- Lack of School Choice: The Heritage Foundation's Education Freedom Report Card ranks Oregon near the bottom in school choice, limiting options for families seeking the best educational fit for their children.
- Academic Transparency: Oregon also scores poorly in academic transparency, making it difficult for parents and the public to assess the quality of education being provided.
- Regulatory Freedom: Limited regulatory freedom can stifle innovation and flexibility in schools, hindering their ability to adapt to the changing needs of students.
Implications and the Need for Improvement
Oregonians deserve to see better outcomes for the billions of dollars they spend every year on public education. These include businesses, which pay a premium for education through the corporate activity tax and through the relinquished corporate kicker. Any business will tell you that customers will walk, if they can, when prices go up and service levels go down. All children deserve effective educational options that meet their learning and developmental needs. Spending more money-in the same district schools that haven’t helped students succeed for decades-isn’t the answer. Finding the best public school is a priority for many families. While far from perfect, public schools play a vital role in their respective communities. Public schools improve their communities and the welfare of children. Public schools welcome all children, no matter their income level, disability, or previous academic performance. Many schools provide school meals, which helps children from food-insecure families get nutritious food every day.
Benchmarking Against Top-Performing States
To understand the scope of the challenge, it's helpful to look at states with top-performing public school systems. These states often share common characteristics such as high levels of funding, strong teacher support, and innovative educational programs.Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia and New Hampshire consistently rank among the top states for public education.
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WalletHub ranked each state’s public schools for “Quality” and “Safety” using 33 relevant metrics. Metrics included high school graduation rate among low-income students, math and reading scores, median SAT and ACT scores, pupil-teach ratio, the share of armed students, the number of school shootings between 2000 and June 2020, bullying incidence rate, and more.
- 48.8% of Massachusetts’s eligible schools ranked in the top 25% of high school rankings, a total of 167 schools. and the second-highest median ACT score of 25.1. Massachusetts also has one of the lowest bullying incidence rates in the country and is considered one of the best states for teachers.
- Connecticut ranks second in the nation for public schools, ranking second for quality and 19th for safety. Connecticut students have the highest median ACT score of 25.5 and have the third-highest reading test scores. Connecticut spends about $18,958 per student, one of the highest per-pupil costs in the country.
- New Jersey has the third-best public schools in the United States. New Jersey has the second-lowest dropout rate among states and the third-lowest pupil-to-teacher ratio. Additionally, students have the third-highest math test scores and the second-highest reading test scores in the nation. New Jersey ranks second for the overall quality of schools and 11th for safety. The state spends about $21,866 per student on average.
- Virginia has the fourth-best public schools overall in the United States, ranking fourth for quality and third for safety. Virginia public schools were found to have the fourth-highest math test scores in the country.
- New Hampshire has the fifth-best public schools in the United States, ranking fourth for quality and twelfth for safety. New Hampshire schools have the fourth-highest reading test scores among states and the second-highest median ACT score of 25.1.
- The sixth-best state for public schools is Maryland. Maryland’s average ACT score is 22.3, and its average SAT score is 1058.
- Ranking seventh for public schools is Delaware, which ranks sixteenth for quality and third for safety. Delaware has the second-lowest bullying incident rate, only second to D.C.
- At the eighth spot for states with the best public schools is Nebraska.
- The state ranks sixth for quality, tying with Minnesota for the highest median SAT score.
- Vermont has the fifth-best public schools in the nation. Vermont ranks eighth for quality, having the lowest pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country, allowing teachers to give each student extra attention. is 16-to-1, while Vermont’s is 10.5-to-1. On the opposite end, the five states with the worst public schools are New Mexico, Alaska, Louisiana, Arizona, and West Virginia.
Strategies for Improvement
To improve Oregon's education system, several strategies should be considered:
- Effective Resource Management:
- Conduct a thorough review of how education funds are allocated and used.
- Prioritize evidence-based programs and initiatives that have demonstrated success in improving student outcomes.
- Ensure that resources are distributed equitably to schools and districts with the greatest needs.
- Teacher Support and Development:
- Invest in high-quality professional development programs for teachers.
- Provide mentorship and support for new teachers.
- Create a positive and supportive work environment that attracts and retains talented educators.
- Curriculum and Instruction:
- Implement rigorous and relevant curriculum standards that align with college and career readiness.
- Promote innovative teaching practices that engage students and foster critical thinking skills.
- Provide students with access to a wide range of educational opportunities, including STEM, arts, and vocational programs.
- Accountability and Transparency:
- Establish clear accountability measures for schools and districts.
- Provide parents and the public with transparent and accessible information about school performance.
- Use data to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
- Addressing the Dropout Rate:
- Implement early intervention programs to identify and support students at risk of dropping out.
- Provide alternative education options for students who are not succeeding in traditional school settings.
- Offer counseling and support services to help students overcome challenges and stay in school.
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