Latest school test scores show some progress
Both the Siuslaw and Mapleton school districts saw improvements in student test scores in 2025-26 compared to the previous year.
Written and photographed by Will Yurman
Data released by the Oregon Department of Education show improvements across the board on state testing for Oregon students. Those improvements can be seen locally as well at both the Mapleton and Siuslaw schools.
The Siuslaw School District saw year-over-year increases in Science(+3.8%), Math(+1.5%) and English Language Arts(+4.6%), while Mapleton saw even larger increases; Science(+8%), Math(+5.3%) and English Language Arts(+10.8%). Both districts still lag behind the state averages.
The Department of Education expressed cautious optimism about the state numbers. “These results give us reason to be encouraged, but also reinforce how much more there is to accomplish,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education in a press release.
Siuslaw Schools superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak and High School principal Mike Harklerode are both confident the scores represent systemic improvements. “The results have more to do with a cultural shift than an exceptional group of students,” Harklerode said in a phone interview.
The district has implemented a grade readiness plan that requires students to either show proficiency on the state test, pass all their core courses, or produce a supervised project. This gives students a concrete reason to take the state tests, which has lowered the number of students who opt out or take the tests but don’t make an effort, Superintendent Grzeskowiak said.
Harklerode said the high school had zero students opt out this past year. The other shift in the high school has been tying attendance to student grades. Better attendance means better grades, Harklerode said.
Both administrators are optimistic that scores will continue to improve next year. The graduation rate was up about 5% this year (exact numbers will be released in December), Grzeskowiak said. And this year’s 9th graders are the first to be required to demonstrate the essential skills program the district implemented, Harklerode said. He believes they will be better prepared for high school, and that will ultimately be reflected in the test scores.