Superintendent's Corner

Dear Coos Bay Families,

As we head into the final stretch of the 2024–25 school year, I want to express my appreciation for your ongoing partnership and commitment to our students. This time of year brings with it a mix of celebration and reflection—as our youngest learners prepare for summer growth, our seniors ready themselves for graduation, and every student in between continues their journey toward academic and career success.

Spring is a powerful reminder that learning is not just about academic progress—it’s about growth, change, and the shared effort it takes to raise strong, confident, and capable young people. I’m proud of the hard work happening in our classrooms and inspired by the dedication I see from families, staff, and students every day. Whether it’s showing up consistently, preparing for state and AP assessments, or helping our students through year-end transitions, your involvement makes a lasting difference.

Below are several important updates, reminders, and celebrations that reflect our shared commitment to preparing every Coos Bay student to graduate with a plan—whether they are Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted. Together, we are building a district where all students are known by name, strengths, and needs, and every learner is empowered to reach their full potential.

Thank you again for being part of this journey. Your partnership helps ensure that our schools remain inclusive, focused, and future-ready—places where every child is challenged, supported, and prepared for the road ahead.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the contents of the newsletter in more depth, please feel free to contact me at the following number: (541) 267-3104.

One Compass – One Crew – One Mission,
Dr. Justin Ainsworth
Superintendent, Coos Bay School District

• April 1 through June 13 (grades 3-8): State Testing OSAS

• February 4 through June 13 (grade 11): State Testing OSAS

• May 5–9 and May 12–16: Advanced Placement Testing

• May 26: Memorial Day Holiday (No School)

• June 12: Last Day of School

We are proud to announce that Kara Davidson, principal of Eastside Elementary, has been selected as the 2024–25 Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year—a tremendous honor that reflects her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to student success. Kara has built a culture at Eastside grounded in collaboration and high expectations. She believes deeply in the power of strong relationships, data-informed instruction, and a shared vision that puts students first. Under her leadership, Eastside has become a place where every child is known by name, strengths, and needs, and every staff member is empowered to lead and grow. This recognition is not just a personal achievement for Kara—it’s a celebration of the entire Eastside community and the example it sets for excellence across our district. Congratulations, Kara! We are proud to call you one of our own.

State assessments are a vital tool that helps us understand how students are progressing in key areas like reading, writing, and math. This data allows our teachers, schools, and district to identify both academic glows (strengths) and grows (areas for improvement). When students opt out, we lose valuable information that helps us support learning for all. Please support your child in participating—these assessments help shape instruction, resource decisions, and student supports districtwide.

Most students take between 1.5 to 3 hours to complete their English Language Arts (ELA) test and 1 to 1.5 hours for the Mathematics test. However, Oregon’s statewide summative assessments are not timed, which means your child can take as long as they need to fully demonstrate what they know and are able to do. We encourage students to take their time and do their best—these assessments are an important tool to help us support their learning.

State assessment results provide a snapshot of your child’s and the school's strengths and areas for growth in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Each subject is divided into key skill areas, and results show how your child performed in each category. The scores are placed on a scale with four achievement levels that help describe academic performance over time.

Your child’s results will be shared with you by their school—typically at the end of the current school year or the start of the next. These results are a valuable tool to help guide instruction and support your child as they move from one grade to the next.

While no single test can tell the full story of your child’s learning, statewide assessments are one important piece of the puzzle. Your child’s participation helps teachers, schools, and the district understand which strategies are working and where improvements are needed. It also helps the state allocate resources and supports to schools and student groups who need them most. Participation ensures a more accurate, equitable picture of student learning across our district and state.

Oregon has launched a new statewide accountability framework to improve student outcomes and ensure that education funding leads to real results. Backed by Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Department of Education, this system emphasizes clarity, transparency, and shared responsibility.

The framework focuses on key indicators of student success, including:

• 3rd grade reading proficiency
• K–12 attendance rates
• 8th grade math performance
• Algebra I readiness
• On-time high school graduation

Governor Kotek put it simply: "We have to be clear-eyed about our numbers and change how the state and districts work together." This new model aims to ensure that every student in Oregon has access to a high-quality education—and that all schools are held accountable for delivering it.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level learning while still in high school. Success on these exams can lead to college credit, advanced placement in college courses, and a competitive edge in admissions—ultimately saving families both time and money.

In the Coos Bay School District, we believe that access to rigorous coursework should not be a privilege—it should be an opportunity available to every student. That’s why we are committed to expanding access to AP courses across our high schools. We are working to ensure that course offerings reflect the diversity of our student body, and that students from all backgrounds feel encouraged and supported in taking on academic challenges.

To further support access, the district will cover the full cost of each AP exam—$90 per test—for all students. This removes a financial barrier that often prevents students from participating fully in the AP program. Whether a student is taking one AP course or several, we want to ensure that cost is never a reason they miss the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned.

By removing obstacles and building a culture of high expectations and support, we are opening doors for our students to graduate prepared and empowered—whether they choose to be Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted after high school.

To our senior families: congratulations on reaching this meaningful milestone! As graduation nears, we recognize that this is a major life transition—for students and for families. If your student is experiencing stress or anxiety about the end of the year, their future, or graduation requirements, please reach out. We are committed to helping every senior cross the finish line with a plan and a sense of purpose.

This time of year can feel overwhelming for high school students as they juggle AP tests, state assessments, graduation requirements, resumes, and postsecondary planning. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if your student—or your family—needs support. Our school teams are here to help students finish strong and stay emotionally grounded during this exciting but demanding season.

Every student develops at a unique pace—academically, emotionally, and socially. Some middle school students demonstrate an early readiness for high school-level coursework due to a combination of factors such as strong academic performance, advanced problem-solving skills, high motivation, and a deep interest in a particular subject. These students often thrive when given opportunities that challenge them and allow them to move at a pace that matches their capabilities.

Importantly, readiness isn’t just about test scores—it also includes a student’s ability to manage more rigorous content, stay organized, seek help when needed, and maintain a healthy balance with other responsibilities. When students are placed in high school courses that match both their academic and developmental stage, it can lead to greater engagement, confidence, and long-term success.

If you believe your student may be ready for this kind of opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to your school counselor or principal. Together, we can determine the best fit for your child’s learning path.

As the weather warms up, please talk with your student about water and fire safety. Every year in Oregon, preventable tragedies occur near beaches, rivers, and lakes. Students should always wear life jackets, stay in supervised areas, and understand the dangers of cold water and fast currents. Likewise, fire safety is critical with the increased use of grills, fireworks, and campfires. Let's work together to keep our students safe this season.

The CBSD is seeing promising academic growth across several key indicators. Math diagnostic results (K–8) show significant mid-year gains, with fewer students in the "Does Not Meet" category and a sharp increase in those meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks. Algebra I enrollment in 8th grade rose to 19%, surpassing the state average and reflecting increased access to accelerated learning. Additionally, Advanced Placement (AP) participation is also at 19%, outpacing the Oregon average and showing progress toward more equitable access to college-level coursework. These trends reflect the district’s commitment to academic excellence and opportunity for all students.