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Salem-Keizer schools see slow but 'comprehensive' progress, superintendent says
District highlights gains in attendance, student reading, while acknowledging much work remains
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said Tuesday that the Salem-Keizer School District has made progress towards 'almost every important indicator of student growth and health' in the last year, though she acknowledged the district still has much work to do, especially in improving third-grade literacy rates.
Why it matters
The State of the District event provided an overview of the district's progress towards its school board goals, which include improving literacy, student attendance, graduation rates, and students' sense of belonging in schools. The district's performance on these key metrics is crucial for understanding the overall health and trajectory of the school system.
The details
While the district saw small gains in areas like attendance and freshmen on track to graduate, it fell short of targets for third-grade literacy, with only 25% of students testing proficiently last year compared to a state rate of 40%. Castañeda acknowledged this low percentage, saying 'a quarter is not enough.' The district has taken steps to address literacy, including closing schools for two days to train staff and implementing changes at individual schools. The event also highlighted the district's efforts to support students' behavioral health needs.
- The State of the District event took place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
- The district's school board goals aim to improve metrics by the end of the current school year.
The players
Andrea Castañeda
Superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District.
Robin Buckingham
Principal of Claggett Creek Middle School.
Tamika Hampton
Vice Principal of Claggett Creek Middle School.
Erik Jespersen
District Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Salem-Keizer School District.
Chris Moore
District Director of Mental Health and Social-Emotional Learning for the Salem-Keizer School District.
What they’re saying
“Our growth is slow, but it is comprehensive. Because great work always starts somewhere.”
— Andrea Castañeda, Superintendent (Keizertimes)
“A quarter is not enough.”
— Andrea Castañeda, Superintendent (Keizertimes)
“Every student that comes through our doors deserves to be there and belongs. As school leaders our priority is the safety of our students and creating great conditions for teaching and learning.”
— Carlos Ruiz, Principal, West Salem High School (Keizertimes)
What’s next
The district plans to select new materials for elementary literacy instruction and high school math this spring, as part of its five-year effort to update core curriculum across the district.
The takeaway
While the Salem-Keizer School District has made incremental progress on key metrics like attendance and graduation rates, it still faces significant challenges, particularly in improving third-grade literacy. The district's comprehensive approach to addressing these issues, including targeted staff training and curriculum updates, suggests it is committed to driving sustainable improvements in student outcomes.
