New state testing results brought encouraging news for Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Students improved districtwide in both English language arts and math during the 2025–26 school year, with especially strong progress in third-grade reading.
The results show more students reaching grade-level standards across several grades and schools. District leaders say the gains reflect ongoing investments in updated curriculum, teacher training and more consistent instruction.
Third-Grade Reading Shows Strong Progress
The percentage of Salem-Keizer third graders meeting or exceeding state standards in English language arts increased from 25.3% to 29.7%. That 4.4-percentage-point jump was the district’s largest recent gain in third-grade reading and outpaced statewide growth.
Most of the district’s 42 elementary schools improved their third-grade language arts scores, and nine recorded double-digit gains.
Several Salem schools posted particularly strong results. Third-grade language arts proficiency increased by 16.4 percentage points at Sumpter Elementary, 15.7 points at Lee Elementary, and 15.1 points at Salem Heights Elementary. Auburn and Sumpter elementary schools also recorded notable improvement in their overall language arts results.
Math Scores Rise Across Every Tested Grade
Math proficiency increased in every grade tested, including grades three through eight and grade 11. Across the district, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding math standards rose from 20.9% to 24.1%.
Seventh-grade students made the largest middle school math gain, improving by 5.9 percentage points. Eleventh graders also showed progress in all three tested subjects, with proficiency increasing by 4.6 points in language arts, 5.2 points in math and 3.8 points in science.
Overall, 60 of the district’s 65 schools improved in at least one of the two main subjects. Thirty-five schools made gains in both language arts and math.
Building on the Progress
Salem-Keizer has invested in instructional materials, professional development, and shared teaching practices across the district. In 2026, elementary teachers, instructional assistants, principals, and other educators across the district participated in several days of foundational literacy training.
The latest scores suggest those efforts are beginning to show results, particularly in elementary reading. At the same time, fewer than half of Salem-Keizer students currently meet state standards in either language arts or math, leaving substantial room for continued improvement.
The district plans to build on the areas showing the strongest growth while continuing its focus on helping more students reach grade-level expectations.
Official Reporting and Source Links
- Salem-Keizer Students Show Strong Gains in Language Arts and Math — Salem-Keizer Public Schools
- “Maintaining Urgency:” Salem-Keizer Sees Jumps in Reading, Math Scores, Most Students Still Below Grade Level — Eddy Binford-Ross, Salem Reporter
- Assessment Results — Oregon Department of Education