Student Outcomes
Success should be measured by what students know, can do, and are prepared to pursue after graduation.
Accountability
Education leaders should be judged by measurable results and honest reporting to families and taxpayers.
Practical Skills
Students should have strong academic foundations and real pathways into college, trades, service, and careers.
Education Results
Oregon students need proof of progress.
Oregon's own education data shows the problem clearly: too many students are not meeting standards in reading, math, and science. Dr. Kahl's view is simple: schools should be judged by measurable results, not excuses, slogans, or spending alone.
2024-25 Oregon proficiency by grade
Percent of students at Level 3 or 4. Bars use Oregon Department of Education statewide assessment data.
NAEP: Oregon fell behind the national public-school average
Average scale scores from The Nation's Report Card, as summarized in Oregon's 2024-25 Statewide Report Card.
Reading is not where it needs to be
In 2024-25, only 40.3% of Oregon third graders and 42.1% of fourth graders were proficient in English Language Arts. Early literacy is the foundation for every subject that follows.
Math collapses before high school
Oregon's statewide math proficiency drops from 40.1% in grade 3 to 28.9% in grade 8 and 20.3% in high school. That is a workforce, college-readiness, and trades-readiness problem.
Attendance is still a barrier
Oregon reported 66.5% regular attendance in 2024-25, meaning roughly one-third of students were not regular attenders. Students cannot recover academically if they are not consistently in class.