How does Oregon schools stand up? A bastion of progressive leadership over the last 30 years and funding in which almost 50% of the entire state budget is spent on education.

Bluntly? Oregon has one of the worst school systems in America – getting an “F” grade on its report card in test scores and dropout rates, but scoring an “A” in high spending. Proof that spending alone isn’t sufficient to produce results.

In fact, Oregon ranks below every southern state besides Louisiana – who they beat by a scant 0.5. Maybe that’s why 20% of parents in Oregon have pulled their students out of public schools since the start of covid (2019 to 2022) and increasingly putting them in private schools.

Quality & Safety of Schools in Oregon (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

Overall Rank: 45th

• 42nd – Math Test Scores
• 43rd – Reading Test Scores
• 44th – Pupil-Teacher Ratio
• 20th – Median SAT Score
• 23rd – Median ACT Score
• 17th – % of Licensed/Certified Public K–12 Teachers
• 44th – Dropout Rate
• 33rd – Existence of Digital Learning Plan

Articles:

• https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335
• https://katu.com/amp/news/local/oregon-has-7th-worst-school-system-in-america-study-says
• https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/05/private-school-census-data-oregon
• https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2022/02/portland-public-schools-projecting-huge-enrollment-losses-plans-to-cut-back-staff-in-elementary-middle-schools.html