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.