FACT CHECK #SYWSDJ5U

EXHIBIT A

What you submitted

WHAT WE FOUND

Oregon state officials and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) have explicitly stated that the suspension of high school proficiency requirements was intended to address disparities affecting students of color and other marginalized groups 367. Under Senate Bill 744, signed by Governor Kate Brown, Oregon suspended the requirement for students to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math—known as the Assessment of Essential Skills—as a prerequisite for graduation 15. This suspension has been extended through the 2027-2028 school year 4. Board members and ODE leaders argued that the previous standards acted as a harmful hurdle for historically marginalized students, noting that students of color and English language learners were disproportionately forced into intensive remediation classes that denied them elective opportunities 237. Officials stated the change was necessary to create graduation requirements that are inclusive of all of the state's students 8. While critics argue the move lowers academic standards, the stated intent from state leadership was to remove barriers that negatively impacted the graduation outcomes of minority students 39.

SOURCES

1. 1 · snopes.comFACT-CHECKER
   Does Oregon Allow H.S. Students to Graduate Without Proof of Reading, Math Proficiency? | Snopes.com

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2. 2 · reason.comWEB
   Oregon is removing a requirement for high school students to show 'essential skills' before graduating

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3. 3 · oregonlive.comWEB
   Oregon again says students don’t need to prove mastery of reading, writing or math to graduate, citing harm to students of color - oregonlive.com

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4. 4 · oregoncapitalchronicle.comWEB
   Oregon students won’t have to show added proficiency in basic skills through 2028 to graduate • Oregon Capital Chronicle

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5. 5 · thehill.comWEB
   Oregon just dropped all graduation standards, failing all of its students in the name of ‘equity’

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6. 6 · newsnationnow.comWEB
   Oregon cancels math, reading tests, saying they harm students of color

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7. 7 · foxnews.comWEB
   Blue state suspends basic skills graduation requirement again, citing harm to students of color | Fox News

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8. 8 · opb.orgWEB
   Explaining Oregon’s decision to drop high school graduation ‘essential skill’ requirements - OPB

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9. 9 · ground.newsWEB
   Oregon again says students don’t need to prove mastery of reading, writing or math to graduate, citing harm to students of color

   TIER B