U.S. Department of Education approves Oregon's request for fewer standardized tests this spring Jordyn Brown, Register-Guard Replay Video UP NEXT The U.S. Department of Education approved the Oregon Department of Education's amended request to have students do some, but not all, of the required standardized tests this spring. Many Oregon students are just returning for in-person instruction, and the vast majority of students are still in some form of hybrid learning, according to ODE data. Local district leaders say they're grateful for fewer tests and are making plans to move ahead, but will have more challenges than years past.