Students Gaining Lost Ground in Academic Credits
One of the most promising signs of recovery is the jump in high school credits earned, especially among freshmen. Ninth-grade “on-track” rates-a key measure of whether students have earned enough credits in their first year to graduate on time climbed to about 84.8% in the 2023-24 school year. That's nearly back to the pre-pandemic high of 85.3% in 2019 and is one of the best rates Oregon has ever recorded. In practical terms, this means the vast majority of freshmen completed at least a quarter of their required credits by the end of ninth grade, putting them firmly on the path to earning a diploma.
This improvement in credit attainment is widespread. Students from virtually all backgrounds saw gains in their on-track rates, indicating that the recovery is broadly inclusive. State education officials note that only a few groups-for example, students in foster care-didn't see the same gains, highlighting areas where more support is needed. Overall, however, the trend shows that the credit gaps opened by COVID-19 are beginning to close for most Oregon students.
Attendance Rates Rebound Statewide
Classrooms across Oregon are filling up again as students return to more consistent attendance. In 2023-24, roughly 65.7% of students were considered “regular attenders,” meaning they attended more than 90% of school days. This marks an increase of nearly four percentage points from the previous year-representing thousands of additional children now showing up to class regularly. Every grade level saw attendance improve, with the largest gains in the elementary grades as the youngest learners re-established their school routines.
During the height of the pandemic, Oregon's regular attendance rate plummeted from nearly 80% pre-COVID to much lower levels and chronic absenteeism spiked. Now, the state is slowly closing that gap. With about two-thirds of students attending school consistently again, schools are rebuilding a culture of daily attendance.
The recent rebound suggests families feel more confident sending their kids to school, and it reflects the impact of local initiatives that encourage students to come to class. Many districts have started campaigns to celebrate good attendance and have staff reach out when students miss multiple days. While attendance hasn't fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, it is moving in the right direction-and educators are determined to keep that momentum going.
Progress Seen Across All Student Groups
Virtually every student demographic-including historically underserved groups-showed improvement in these measures. This widespread progress suggests that recovery efforts are reaching students of all backgrounds. While some gaps remain (for example, foster youth still struggle with attendance), these broad gains are helping to close disparities that widened during COVID-19.
School and Community Efforts Fueling the Recovery
Behind these positive trends are deliberate efforts by schools and communities to support students. In the Phoenix-Talent School District in southern Oregon, for example, one high school achieved an outstanding milestone: over 95% of its freshmen are on track to graduate. School leaders credit this success to a mix of student-centred strategies.
They boosted family engagement by communicating in parents' home languages, opened a school-based health centre to remove barriers to care, and expanded hands-on career programs to keep learning exciting. The school also provided extra help through summer learning sessions and peer mentoring. Together, these steps created an environment where students stayed engaged and kept earning credits, even after the disruptions of COVID-19.
Another example comes from a high school in the small Mt. Angel district, which dramatically improved student attendance by focusing on inclusion and outreach. After identifying why some students-especially Latino students-were missing class, the school took action. They launched school-wide celebrations to reward good attendance and brought in a bilingual community liaison to build trust with families. In one year, regular attendance among Latino students rose from under half to nearly three-quarters of that student group.
It's a dramatic turnaround that shows how understanding students' needs and involving the community can boost engagement. Across Oregon, similar initiatives are helping more young people feel connected to school and empowered to succeed.
Looking Ahead
With this strong start to recovery, Oregon's educators and community leaders are determined to keep the momentum going. They are planning to build on these continuing successful outreach efforts, expanding tutoring and mentorship for those who need extra help and making sure no student is left behind.
This collective commitment has showcased the resilience of Oregon's youth and the dedication of its educators. Every uptick in attendance or credits earned means more students moving toward their goals. By staying the course and adapting to student's needs, the state is on a promising path to help all learners thrive.
