Every day across Bethel, we see the incredible progress our students are making.

Our students are bright and capable learners — something families see as their students learn and grow every day. We see it in strong literacy growth, improving math outcomes, and record high graduation rates at both Willamette and Kalapuya. These results reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the partnership we share with families.

An opportunity for students to “show what they know”
As we head into the spring assessment season, we have an opportunity to reflect that progress more clearly. The Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessments - the state’s annual tests in reading, writing, and math - give students a chance to show what they know and reflect the learning they’ve built throughout the year.

SBAC is just one way schools understand how students are doing, along with classroom learning and other assessments, but when more students participate, it helps provide a clearer and more accurate picture of student learning.

How this supports your student
In the past, state testing hasn’t always felt as meaningful or connected to students’ learning as it could be. We are working to change that by making it more relevant and useful for students and families.

To help make this information more relevant and timely, we will create a report for each student who completes SBAC. This report will include SBAC results, attendance, and other key information to provide a clearer picture of your student’s progress. These reports will be shared with families before summer break.

Attendance & Next Steps
Regular attendance plays an important role in student success. When students are in school consistently, they stay engaged in learning and feel more connected to their school community.

There are also a few simple ways you can help your student feel confident and ready:

• Check in with your student about what they’re learning in class

• Encourage them to take their time and do their best

• Make sure they get a good night’s sleep before testing days

• Help them arrive at school on time and ready to focus

Our Focus for Students
Our goal is to encourage students to approach the assessment with confidence and simply show what they know, while using the results to better support their learning moving forward.

We’re grateful for the partnership we share with families in supporting every student’s success.

Kraig Sproles

Superintendent 

Bethel School Distric