2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 15, 2015
Polk County News
Law allows for opt outs of standardized tests
If school districts don’t meet 95 percent participation rates, they could stand to lose federal money
By Emily Mentzer and
Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
SALEM — The landscape
of statewide assessments —
currently Smarter Balanced
Assessments — is in ques-
tion after Gov. Kate Brown
signed a law allowing par-
ents to more easily opt chil-
dren out.
The law is not without
controversy, as roughly $140
million in federal funding
statewide is dependent on at
least 95 percent of students
participating in the stan-
dardized tests.
Last year, only about 10
students
were ex-
cused from
the tests in
Central
School
District,
said Buzz
Brazeau,
superin-
Brazeau
tendent.
Whether or not the new
law will affect participation
rates next year is difficult to
say.
“It’s hard for me to tell,”
he said. “I would hope (we
don’t get more opting out),
but I think it depends on
how well people are in-
formed.”
For some, including Cen-
tral Education Association
president and CHS English
teacher Ben Gorman, the
new law is a win for educa-
tors and parents.
“My guess is that, when
parents realize that the test
data isn’t actually used to
help their individual stu-
dent, many will decide any
activity in which their child
learns something is prefer-
able to an unnecessary test,”
Gorman said.
Kimber Townsend is a
mother of two Central stu-
dents, one was a junior last
year and the other attended
Talmadge Middle School.
She opted both of her chil-
dren out of Smarter Bal-
anced last year, calling it a
family decision.
A couple factors con-
tributed to that decision.
“I work in the College of
Education at Western Ore-
gon University,” she said. “I
hear conversations about
standardized testing from
faculty, the dean and admin-
istration. How do we feel
about it, how will this affect
our students (at WOU).
Standardized testing goes
against every best practice
that we teach our student
teachers.”
Standardized tests are de-
veloped by people who
make tests, not by educa-
tors, Townsend said.
“With more and more
blended classrooms, all
learning levels and skill
levels in the same room,
standardized testing
doesn’t work,” she said.
ICLIPART.COM/ Itemizer-Observer
A new state law makes it easier for parents to opt children out of standardized tests.
“They’re not standardized
students.”
Perhaps a bigger motive
behind opting out her stu-
dents was because of the
missed classroom time.
“When my student says to
me, these are challenging
classes, what happens if I
miss four days — they actu-
ally pull them (students) out
and coach them how to
pass,” Townsend said. “Four
days of testing, plus prep
time.”
Brazeau said Smarter Bal-
anced took roughly 11,500
hours of testing time last
year.
Gorman said the time
spent testing gets in the way
of teaching.
“We have to give up sig-
nificant instructional time to
testing every year,” he said.
“Combine that with one of
the shortest school years in
the country, and Oregon’s
kids get almost a full year
less instruction (over the
course of 12 years) than stu-
dents from most states.”
Michelle Johnstone, Dal-
las School District’s new su-
perintendent, said she
agrees that students spend
too much time taking state
assessments.
“The thing that worries
me is how much time it
takes,” she said, adding it’s
counterintuitive to require-
ments schools increase time
students spend in the class-
room.
That’s especially true
when the results aren’t pro-
vided to the districts in a
timely manner, she said.
T h a t
being said,
she under-
stands the
need for
testing in
some form
to make
sure teach-
ers and dis-
Johnstone
t r i c t s a re
doing their job educating
children.
“Kids have to be meas-
ured somehow,” she said.
“Now, do we have to do it ex-
cessively? No.”
Previous to Dallas, John-
stone was a superintendent
in Colorado, where the Leg-
islature also allowed for
more opt outs.
The federal government
put the state on notice that
it could lose funding if too
many students weren’t test-
ed.
She’s worried the same
thing will happen in Oregon.
“It makes me a little nerv-
ous to say parents can opt
out for any reason,” she said,
adding:
“It puts districts in a really
bad spot.”
The threat of losing fund-
ing should enough parents
in Oregon opt out of the
testing is real, but it may not
stay that way.
See TESTING, Page 5A
P OLK C OUNTY W ORSHIP D IRECTORY
DALLAS
Calvary Chapel Dallas www.calvarydallasor.com
Currently meeting for worship and verse by verse
Bible teaching at 628 SE Jefferson St. Worship
service begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Sunday
school is available from youth ministry and below
to nursery. Wednesday evening cafe-style Old
Testament study starting at 6:30 pm. Come join
us for a relaxed study around a cup of coffee or
drink. Mens prayer is Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Wom-
ens Bible studies are scheduled also, call for
times. The Pastor/Teacher is Larry King. Come
join us and be a part of God's family here in Dallas.
For more information call 503-831-1074.
Church of God of Prophecy New Beginnings
- 575 SW Ash St., (corner of Ash & Stump St.)
Pastor Raul Lopez, 971-209-0452. Bible Study
School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
(bi-lingual) Bible Study 6:00 p.m. presently
studying the book of Ezekiel. We welcome all.
Associate Pastor Jim Dickason 503-302-9816.
Church of Christ - North Kings Valley Hwy.
Sunday Class 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30
a.m. Sunday Evening Service 5:30 p.m. Thurs-
day Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. We are a
Bible Based Church. Visitors welcome. For in-
formation call 503-420-4010. If no answer,
please leave a message and we’ll return your
call as soon as possible.
Dallas Alliance Church - 775 E. Ellendale, Dal-
las, 503-623-2265, Email office@dallasal-
liance.org, Lead Pastor Jim Jamieson; and
Youth/Children’s Pastor Lance Baker; Every
Sunday: classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m., Morn-
ing Worship at 10:30 a.m., (Nursery provided for
a.m. services); Tuesdays: Youth Night 7:00 p.m.
in Ediger Hall; Wednesdays: Adult Prayer Meet-
ing 1:00 p.m., Choir practice 6:45 p.m. Call for
info on current Bible Studies. Web: dallasal-
liance.org.
Dallas Church - PO Box 462, Dallas, OR
97338, 503-623-2711. Worship Gatherings:
Sundays 10am. Meeting at 450 SE Washington
St., Dallas OR 97338. Atmosphere is relaxed,
families & children welcome, come as you are,
current music & relevant teaching about Jesus.
Pastor: Ben Bauman. www.dallaschurch.org
Dallas Foursquare Church—Located at 976
SW Hayter St. on the corner of Washington and
Hayter. Worship Service: Sundays at 10am.
Youth Group: Sundays 6pm to 8pm. Pastor:
Darrin Hausler. We are a multi-generational
church with a heart for our community. Our mis-
sion is to Love God and Love People to Extend
His Kingdom. For more info call us at 503-623-
8277 or visit us online at dallasfour.com.
Evangelical Bible Church - 1175 S.E. Howe,
Dallas 503-623-2331. Senior Pastor Jerry
Franz, Visitation Pastor Allan Wiebe, Youth
Pastor Nathan Ensz. Sunday: Worship *8:00
a.m.; *10:45 a.m.; *6:00 p.m.; Sunday School
9:30 a.m.; High School Youth Group 7:00 p.m.;
Thursday: Jr. High Youth Group - 7:00 p.m.;
2nd & 4th Tuesday: MOPS *9:00 a.m.;
Wednesday: AWANA - 6:30 p.m.; Prayer Meet-
ing & Bible Study 7:00 p.m.; Thursday: Bible
Studies *9:00 a.m. & *7:00 p.m. (women);
Thursday Group Bible Study 2:00 p.m. *Nurs-
ery care provided.
Faith Evangelical Free Church - 2290 E. El-
lendale Ave., Dallas, 503-623-8034; Senior
Pastor Al Perkins, Associate Pastor Ed Sutter,
Worship Pastor Ted Kitzmiller, Youth Pastor
Aaron Swank, Ministry of Children & Family
Debbie Davies. Sunday School 9:00 a.m.; Sun-
day Worship 10:30 a.m., Sunday High School
Youth Group 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday Jr. High
Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Please call or visit our
website for information about other meetings.
www.faithfreechurch.org
First Baptist Church - 245 S.W. Church St.,
Dallas, 503-623-5189; www.gofbc.org; Church
Office Hours: Mon - Fri. 12 - 4 pm; Pastor Rick
Bratton; Sunday School 9:30 a.m., Worship
10:45 a.m., Wednesday Bible Study 6-7 p.m;
Everyone Welcome!
First Christian Church - Joyfully Worshipping
& Serving 1079 S.E. Jefferson Street, Dallas,
503-623-2569. Pastor Darren Anderson. “Live
Wire Worship” with Praise Team - 8:30 a.m.,
Adult, Youth & Children Sunday School - 9:30
a.m., Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m. (Nursery
provided), Men’s Bible Study - Thursday, 8:30
a.m. Christian Women’s Fellowship - 2nd Tues-
day, 1:00 pm (Sept through June). Please call
church office for information about other meet-
ings.
First Presbyterian Church - 879 S.W. Levens
Street, Dallas, 503-623-3397. Pastor Sandy
Larson invites you to come and share with us.
Worship 10:30 a.m.; Adult Sunday School 9:00
am; Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study Tues. 7:00
a.m.; Handicapped accessible. Bloodbank 4th
Monday of even numbered months. Indoor Play
Park.
Grace Community Church - 598 E. Ellendale
Ave. PO Box 69, Dallas, 503-623-4961. Senior
Pastor-Dave Bertolini, Pastor of Worship & Dis-
cipleship-Ryan Bucher, Pastor of Student Min-
istries-Ben Potloff. Sunday Worship: 1st
Service-9:00 a.m. with Kids, Youth, & Adult Sun-
day School running concurrently. 2nd Worship
Service-10:45 a.m. with Kids Worship running
concurrently. Nursery provided for 0 - 2 year
olds during both services. Office open Tuesday-
Friday for office hours visit our website at
www.graceindallas.org. All are welcome!
Living Hope City Church - 1156 SE Holman,
Dallas. Family Worship 10:30 am. www.living-
hopecitychurch.org Equipping Center & Offices
186 SE Mill St., Dallas. For more information
call 503-623-6890.
Living Word Faith Fellowship - 830 SE Shel-
ton Street, Dallas, 503-623-9062. Pastor Joan
Siewert. Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednes-
day Worship 7:00 p.m. Children's Sunday serv-
ice 10:00 a.m., nursery provided. Men’s
fellowship second Saturday of month breakfast
at 8:00 a.m. at Murphy’s Restaurant, Dallas.
Pastor Michael Van Dyke in charge of men's fel-
lowship. Call for additional information. Website:
www.proclaimhim.org
Salt Creek Baptist Church - 15075 Salt Creek
Road, Dallas, 503-623-2976. Senior pastor
David Curtis. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday
morning Worship 10:50 a.m. Nursery provided
for worship services. Classes for all ages.
Wednesday Senior High and Middle School
Youth at 6:30 p.m. Please call for information
about other meetings or visit our website at
www.saltcreekchurch.org.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 589 SW
Birch, P.O. Box 450, Dallas 97338-0450. 503-
623-5872. Services on Saturday: 9:30 A.M.
Sabbath School Bible Study for all age groups.
10:50 A.M. Worship Service. Office Hours: Mon-
day, Wednesday, Friday, 9 to Noon. Pastor:
Lary Brown
St. Thomas Episcopal Church - 1486 SW
Levens St., Dallas (at the corner of Levens &
Cherry) 503-623-8522. Email: stthomasdalla-
sor@gmail.com 10:00 a.m. Worship with Holy
Eucharist. Sunday School and Nursery Care
available during worship. Sundays 1:30-3:00 all
ages FREE singing lessons. St. Thomas Epis-
copal Church 1486 SW Levens Dallas. Call Re-
becca 503-559-5205 with questions. The
Episcopal Church and St Thomas Welcomes
you —please join us.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 320 SE Fir Villa Rd,
Dallas, 503-623-2233. Pastor - David Pederson.
Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m.; Kids Church during 10:00 a.m. Wor-
ship. Youth Group HS/MS 11:30 a.m. Sundays.
Free Medical Clinic 1st & 4th Saturday of each
month. www.dallastlc.org. Catch us on Face-
book.
United Methodist Church – A church with
Open Hearts, Open Minds & Open Doors. 565
SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas, 503-623-2481. Pas-
tor-Rev. Quinton Kimbrow. Summer Worship—
June, July, August, Sept. 6th at 10 am followed
by Sunday School. Child-care available. Hand-
icap access. All are welcome! Email: dalla-
sumc@qwestoffice.net
Website:
www.sites.umcdallas.com
Valley Life Center (Assemblies of God) -
1795 S.E. Miller Ave., Dallas, 503-623-4116.
Pastor Chris Barker, Children’s Director, Crystal
Barker, Sunday Morning Service 10:30 a.m.,
Wednesday Family Night 6:30 p.m. Please call
for more information or visit our website at
www.valleylifecenter.com
FALLS CITY
Falls City Christian Church 233 S. Main
Street, Falls City, Oregon 97344, 503-787-3104
Sunday Service: 10 am; Website: www.fallsci-
tycc.com
Falls City United Methodist Church - 242 N.
Main Street, Falls City, 503-851-3213. Pastor
Rebecca Strader. Morning worship Sunday 9:20
am. All denominations are welcome. www.fallsc-
ityumc.org
Mountain Gospel Fellowship - 303 N. Main,
Falls City, 503-787-8037. Sunday School 10:00
a.m., Worship Service 11:00 a.m., Wed. Dinner
6:15 p.m. Everyone welcome just as you are.
Join Us!
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 205 N. Main,
Falls City 97344, 503-787-3907. Pastor Lary
Brown. Sabbath School Sat. 9:30 am-10:40 am;
Worship Service 11 am. Community Service
Center (Food Bank) third Wed. of each month,
noon-3pm.
INDEPENDENCE
Buena Vista Community Church - 11355
Church St., Buena Vista. Independence. Pastor
Larry Lyon. Sunday School 9:45 a.m., Morning
Worship 11 a.m.
Cornerstone Church of God - 4395 Independ-
ence Hwy, Independence, 503-838-5119. Sun-
day Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.
Nursery available.
First Baptist Church - A warm, friendly church
that cares about you! Located at 1505 Mon-
mouth St., Independence (across from Central
High School); 503-838-1001. Senior Pastor
Michael Parks. Sundays: Worship Service 11
am Wednesdays: AWANA 7 pm (during the
school year). Thursdays: Youth Group 6:15pm.
Join us for small groups and life groups through-
out the week. First Baptist Church has min-
istries for children, youth, adults, families and
seniors, throughout the week. Check us out at
www.independencefirstbaptist.com
Life Center Foursquare Church - 437 D
Street, Independence, OR Phone: 503-838-
6507. Pastor Larry Gratreak. Worship Service
and Sunday School starts at 10:30 a.m. Various
Studies, Prayer Groups and Home Fellowships
available throughout the week. Call for more in-
formation. You are welcome! Find us on Face-
book.
St. Patrick Parish, Catholic - 1275 E St., Inde-
pendence. 503-838-5801. Father Henry Guillen
Vega Masses Sat., vigil 5 p.m.; Sunday 9:30
a.m. (English), 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish);
Weekdays Mon, Tues, Wed, & Thurs. 9am, Sat-
urday 7 p.m. (Spanish). Evergreen Nursing
Home; Holy Days 9 a.m. (Eng) & 7 p.m.
(Eng/Span). Sacrament of Reconciliation: Sat
3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Religious Ed-
ucation: RCIA Mon 7:00-8:30 p.m.; Mid-High &
High School Grades Mon 7:00-8:30p.m.;
Grades 1-4 Tues. 7:00-8:30 p.m. WOU Campus
Ministry: Mass Sun. 5:00 p.m. at 315 N. Knox
St., Monmouth followed by a social hour.
MONMOUTH
Christ The King Christian Church - Meets at
959 Church St. W., Monmouth 7:00 pm Satur-
day Night. Christ The King Christian Church is
a conservative, contemporary, charismatic Bib-
lical Church. At Christ the King we learn: the
truths of the Bible, how to live Biblical truths,
how to please God, and how to be a blessing to
all people. Come and join us as we learn and
grow together. Everyone is welcome. Wally
Wildman, senior pastor. For more information
call 503-623-2262. www.ctkmonmouth.com
Christ’s Church Methodist & Presbyterian
United - Come care and share with us. 412
Clay Street West, Monmouth, 503-838-1724.
Pastor Rebecca Strader. Worship Service 11
a.m. Call for information on small groups.
Church of Christ - 127 N. Heffley St., Monmouth,
503-838-2360. Minister - Dan Brewer, Youth Min-
ister - Jon Siegrist. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.,
Worship Service 10:45 a.m., Sunday Evening
Service 6 p.m., Wednesday Service 6 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church - 200 Monmouth-Inde-
pendence Hwy., Monmouth (the church with the
lighted cross on the “S” curve). Summer Sched-
ule: Adult Bible Class 8:15 am; Divine Service
of Holy Communion 9:30 am. Pastor Dallas
C.R. Dubke. www.FaithLutheranMonmouth.org;
503-838-3459. Everyone is welcome!
Heart to Heart Church - 191 N. Monmouth
Ave., Monmouth (across street from WOU).
Pastor Jim Miller. email: Jim@h2hchurch.com.
Sunday School for children and adults 10:00
a.m; Worship Service 11:00 a.m.; Prayer &
Praise 6:00 p.m.; Seekers Night - Monday 6:00
p.m.; Children & Adult Bible Study - Wednesday
7:00 p.m.; Seven Cities Worship Service Friday
8 p.m.; Everybody welcome. Information:
church 503-838-0537. www.h2hchurch.com
Monmouth Christian Church - 959 Church
Street W, Monmouth, OR 97361; Office: (503)
838-1145; Fax: (503) 838-1162; Email:
mcc@mymcc.cc; Website: mymcc.cc; Lead
Pastor: Sean Bitzer; Pastors: Ulysses Vela, Mary
Weinbender, & Seth Halligan; Sunday Worship
Service: 10 am, English & Spanish; children’s
programming for birth to 6th grades also avail-
able. Momentum (7th & 8th Grades) meet Tues-
days 6:30-8:00 pm MCC; Join us this Sunday in
person or live online at www.mymcc.tv.
New LIFE Ministries – we’re growing in Polk
County! CHILDREN'S CHURCH NOW AVAIL-
ABLE! We are a God-loving, Bible-believing,
non-denominational church body. This church
is a little different, in that it’s not just a church
service, but is all about being a “service church”.
We strive to seek out and serve the needs of
the community. It is our hope that God will use
us to make a difference. Come join us! We
meet at Ash Creek School, 1360 N 16th Street,
Monmouth every Sunday morning at 10:00-
11:00 am. Our minister is Marion Seick. Feel
free to call us at (503) 871-5207. Please come
visit and worship with us this Sunday!"
Praise Assembly 189 Monmouth Ave S., Mon-
mouth (locations in McMinnville and Willamina as
well). Our English worship gathering is 11 am on
Sundays, followed by a Spanish service at 2 pm.
Kid’s church available for 12 and under. Youth
group meets at 9:30 Sunday morning. Other min-
istries include: Celebrate Recovery (Tues, 7 pm),
College Bible study (Wed, 7 pm), and Spanish
Bible study (Thurs, 7 pm). Please check our web-
site for the most up-to-date information,
www.praiseonline.net, or call us at 503-837-0300.
St. Hilda's Episcopal Church 245 Main St. W.,
Monmouth, 503-838-6087, sthildas church.org
Sunday Eucharist - 10:00 am followed by Fellow-
ship. Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Study
9:00 am. Wednesday Worship at 8:00 am and
7:00 pm. Nursery care provided. Call for periodic
small groups and celebrations. All are welcome!