Essential Skills
Oregon Diploma Essential Skills Requirements
The following explanation is adapted from various Oregon Department of Education documents. Before students are awarded a high school diploma, they are required to demonstrate proficiency in certain essential skills – skills that are deemed critical for future success. Essential Skills are process skills that can be applied in a variety of courses, subjects, experiences and settings.
School year when student first enrolled in 9th grade Reading Read and comprehend a variety of text Writing Write clearly and accurately Math Apply mathematics in a variety of settings 2008-2009 Required 2009-2010 Required Required 2010-2011 Required Required Required 2011-2012 and beyond Required Required Required
This table shows the timeline adopted by the State Board for the Essential Skills graduation requirement.
What if a student is seeking a modified diploma?
Students seeking a modified diploma must also demonstrate proficiency in these Essential Skills. A student’s IEP team may determine that the student needs to meet different achievement standards than those specified by ODE in the link above. If a student meets the modified targets as stated in the IEP, then the student meets the Essential Skills requirements. Click here to print the form to submit evidence of completing Essential Skills for a modified diploma.
What if a student completed a requirement before coming to PPS?
For students who completed a requirement in another school district, Portland Public Schools may not have the data necessary to show this requirement as complete on the student’s transcript. To ensure students receive proper credit for work completed, a school counselor or administrator should complete and submit a request to add evidence. The form can be found here.
Additional Information
For More Information about Essential Skills, please go the Oregon Department of Education website at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2042
