Salem-Keizer Students Show Strong Gains in Language Arts and Math

District growth outpaced statewide gains, with especially strong results in third-grade reading.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools posted districtwide academic improvement, highlighted by gains in third-grade reading proficiency that outpaced statewide growth. Salem-Keizer’s third graders had their largest reading gains in recent years and improved for the second consecutive year, continuing a positive trend in student outcomes across the district.

“Last year, we said we had bent the curve, reversing a pattern of loss to one of gain. This year, we are expanding on that pattern with districtwide gains and state-leading gains in 3rd grade ELA,” said SKPS Superintendent Andrea Castañeda. “Third-grade reading accelerated, math improved in every tested grade, and every school posted a gain in ELA or math. I can’t imagine more affirming news for our hardworking students and staff. We are proud of the progress, and we remain focused on our core mission.”

Data released today by the Oregon Department of Education shows Salem-Keizer’s third-grade English language arts proficiency rate improved by 4.4 percentage points, from 25.3% to 29.7%. Since 2023-24, third-grade proficiency has increased 6 percentage points, strengthening the trajectory toward continued growth.

"With year-over-year gains in both ELA and math, Salem-Keizer Public Schools is clearly headed in the right direction," said Salem-Keizer School Board Chair Lisa Harnisch. "I am so proud of our educators for their commitment to providing students with high-quality instruction, and I am so very proud of our students for their hard work. I am particularly proud of the early literacy work happening in preschool to ensure a strong start and success in kindergarten."

Most of Salem-Keizer’s 42 elementary schools improved in third-grade ELA, and nine posted double-digit gains.

Deputy Superintendent Olga Cobb leads elementary schools for Salem-Keizer Public Schools. She celebrated the gains, saying, "These gains reflect the hard work happening in every classroom and our staff’s unwavering focus on strengthening reading and writing instruction. Our educators have invested deeply in learning the science of reading and using data to respond to all our students’ needs."

Districtwide gains in language arts and math

Salem-Keizer Public Schools improved districtwide in both English language arts and mathematics. Overall ELA proficiency increased 2.3 percentage points, from 32.2% to 34.5%, while math proficiency increased 3.2 percentage points, from 20.9% to 24.1%.

Salem-Keizer’s gains were widespread, reflecting a sustained, districtwide focus on core academics:

• Math proficiency improved in every tested grade.
• Sixty of 65 schools improved overall in at least one of the two subjects.
• Thirty-six schools improved overall in both ELA and math.
• Eleventh-grade proficiency improved in all three tested subjects: 4.6 points in ELA, 5.2 points in math and 3.8 points in science.

“We are seeing what is possible when we invest in our teachers, strengthen our practices, and believe in every child’s potential,” said Cobb. “We are proud of this progress, but our work is far from done. We will continue to build on what’s working, learn from our results, and stay focused on our responsibility to ensure that every child becomes a confident, successful reader and writer. Our students deserve nothing less!”

Investing in curriculum and training moves the needle

These results come as Salem-Keizer continues investing in strong instructional materials, professional learning and consistent approaches to teaching across schools.

Middle school math proficiency increased in all three tested grades, led by a 5.9-point increase in seventh grade. Seventh-grade ELA proficiency also increased 4.0 points.

“We are seeing encouraging evidence that sustained focus, strong curriculum and professional learning moves student outcomes,” said Danielle Neves, deputy superintendent over secondary instruction. “We still have work to do to move all students to proficiency and we will keep learning from where growth is strongest.”

Improving third-grade literacy remains one of the academic goals adopted by the Salem-Keizer School Board of Directors. The district’s work has included a major investment in staff time and learning, including multi-day foundational literacy training in January 2026 for approximately 2,500 elementary teachers, instructional assistants, principals and other educators.

English Language Arts

Overall ELA proficiency increased 2.3 percentage points, from 32.2% to 34.5%.

Five of seven tested grades improved:

• Third grade increased 4.4 points.
• Fourth grade increased 3.6 points.
• Fifth grade increased 1.0 point.
• Seventh grade increased 4.0 points.
• Eleventh grade increased 4.6 points.

Forty-five of 65 schools improved their overall ELA proficiency rate compared with the previous year.

Schools with notable ELA gains

• Gubser Elementary School’s third-grade ELA proficiency increased 25.4 percentage points.
• Sumpter, Lee, and Salem Heights elementary schools posted third-grade gains of 16.4, 15.7 and 15.1 points, respectively.
• McKay High School improved 17.3 points in 11th-grade ELA.
• Auburn and Sumpter elementary schools improved overall by 11.4 and 10.6 points, respectively.
• Crossler Middle School’s eighth-grade ELA proficiency increased 16.9 points.
• Walker Middle School’s seventh-grade ELA proficiency increased 15.7 points.
• Stephens and Leslie middle schools posted sixth-grade gains of 10.9 and 10.3 points, respectively.

Mathematics

Overall math proficiency increased 3.2 percentage points, from 20.9% to 24.1%. The districtwide rate is now 4.1 points higher than it was in 2023-24.

Every tested grade improved in math:

• Third grade increased 2.0 points.
• Fourth grade increased 4.0