Smarter Balanced/College Placement Waivers

For the next two years, students entering Oregon's 17 community colleges and 7 universities may choose to waive placement testing if they scored a 3 or 4 on Smarter Balanced assessments and met requirements for continued academic rigor during 12th grade. These new agreements were adopted in February 2015 and will be piloted for the next two academic years, starting with the graduating high school class of 2016.

Under the agreements, students who:

  • Score a 3 or higher on the 11th grade Smarter Balanced assessment in Math and English
  • Demonstrate evidence of continued learning through grade 12 coursework, and
  • Enroll in a public postsecondary institution in Oregon the year immediately after graduation can choose to use their scores to exempt them from placement testing for college level Math and English/Language Arts when they arrive on campus.

The Oregon community college agreement requires that students successfully complete college-level credits in Mathematics and/or English during 12th grade (which could include dual credit, early college, local accelerated credit models, and exam achievement in AP or IB courses). The Oregon public university agreement requires that students complete an appropriate mathematics or English/Language Arts course in grade 12 (with a grade of B of better for those scoring 3). The agreements do not affect college admission, only first term placement in college level coursework, since eligible students will be exempt from taking the placement tests.

Through the adoption of these alignment agreements, Oregon’s community colleges and universities have affirmed the goals of both the Common Core State Standards and the new Smarter Balanced assessments—improved student learning throughout K-12 education that truly prepares students for success in college and/or career—and provided an incentive for students to take rigorous courses during the senior year. Continued learning in the senior year, preferably in college level courses for those students who are ready, and in appropriate transition options for students who are almost ready, helps students to enter college with confidence and skills necessary to be successful.  

Excerpt. Links to: University Smarter Balanced Policy statement and Clackamas Community College Smarter Balanced Policy statement.