
You are here
Essential Skills
The Oregon Legislature passed a law that requires students prove they have “Essential Skills” in order to receive a diploma.
There are nine Essential Skills, but only three are currently required to receive a diploma:
- Read and comprehend a variety of texts
- Write clearly and accurately
- Apply math in a variety of settings
Students can prove they have these skills through one of three ways:
- Reaching a set score on the Smarter Balanced tests, or
- Reaching a set score on another, approved standardized test (such as SAT, SCT, Compass, etc.), or
- Providing work samples
These remaining six Essential Skills will be added as diploma requirements in the future:
- Listen actively, and speak clearly and coherently
- Think critically and analytically
- Use technology to learn, live and work
- Demonstrate civic and community engagement
- Demonstrate global literacy
- Demonstrate personal management and teamwork skills
For more information on the Essential Skills, please visit the Oregon Department of Education website.