Norman Public Schools students outperformed statewide averages in most subjects on spring 2026 state assessments, but a seven-point drop in science proficiency among high school juniors and a persistent eighth-grade math gap signal trouble spots heading into the new school year.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education released district-level results during the week of Aug. 11, as reported by the Norman Transcript, drawing from the Oklahoma School Testing Program administered to students in grades 3-8 and to juniors statewide. The full data files are publicly available on the OSDE website.
Where Norman beat the state
About 30% of Norman students in grades 3-8 scored proficient or advanced in English language arts, compared with 23.7% statewide. In math, 30.3% hit that mark versus 26.7% across Oklahoma. Both figures held essentially flat from 2025.
The brightest spot was science among fifth- and eighth-graders: 43% reached proficiency, up six points from 37% in 2025 and well above the 34.1% state rate.
Where the district slipped
Eighth-grade math remained Norman's weakest result. Just 19% of eighth-graders scored proficient or advanced, unchanged for the second straight year. The statewide rate was 18%.
Among juniors, science proficiency fell sharply, dropping from 35% in 2025 to 28% this spring. U.S. history held nearly steady at 50%, down one point. Both junior-level results still topped state averages of 20% in science and 40% in history.
What the district says it will do
Norman Public Schools, led by Superintendent Nick Migliorino, said in a statement that the district will focus on strengthening "Tier 1 instruction," the daily classroom teaching aligned with Oklahoma Academic Standards, along with targeted interventions for students who need additional support.
The district acknowledged the mixed picture, saying it recognizes "there is more progress to be made" while noting that Norman continues to perform above state averages across assessed areas.
Context for families
One caveat worth noting: the 2025-26 school year marked a shift in Oklahoma's assessment system for grades 3-8 ELA and math. Districts selected from a list of approved commercial assessments rather than taking a single statewide test. Year-over-year comparisons should be read with that transition in mind.
Looking ahead, House Bill 4359 moves state testing to the final four weeks of the school year starting in 2026-27, a change intended to give teachers more instructional time before assessments. The state also allocated $43 million for reading instruction and interventions under the strengthened Strong Readers Act, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in April.
Norman Public Schools' 2026-27 academic year is already underway, with the last day of school set for May 21, 2027.
