At Black Butte School students are encouraged to take a series of standardized tests to measure their learning and performance. These tests are important not only to track an individual student's growth, but also the overall performance of a school. They support high quality teaching, improve student learning, and prepare students for life after high school. Standardized test scores are just one measure to determine school and teacher performance that are considered alongside many other measures such as, student and family satisfaction, learning portfolios, individual class assignments, and more. 

When a student begins Kindergarten they take the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Kindergarten Assessment to get a baseline for their learning growth at Black Butte School. The test measures early literacy, early math, and approaches to learning. Black Butte School teachers use the results of this assessment to determine where to begin a given student's individualized curriculum. 

In grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 students take the Smarter Balanced test in early to mid May. The Smarter Balanced tests assess English language arts/literacy and mathematics aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Delivered online, these tests include questions that adapt to each individual’s performance and feature “Performance Tasks” that mimic real world application of students’ knowledge and skills. 

In addition to the Smarter Balanced test, students in grades 5 and 8 take the OAKS Social Studies and Science tests.

Additional assessments include the English Language Proficiency Assessment for English Language Learners, as well as Oregon's Extended Assessment for students with special needs. 

If you would like your student to opt out from English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced tests please fill out the Oregon Department of Education Opt Out Form.