Oregon is raising its expectations for students. The current academic standard, which allows students to graduate with only a D-minus average in 22 credit hours of classes, is being replaced by the requirement that students prove that they are proficient in English, mathematics, science, history, and other academic subjects. Students will demonstrate their proficiency through a series of classroom assignments and state tests. This document contains the four key parts of Oregon's curriculum and assessment system for grades six and eight. These are: (1) the common curriculum goals; (2) content standards for the subjects of English, mathematics, science, social sciences, second languages (defined by districts), the arts, health education, physical education, and technology; (3) benchmarks for grade 8; and (4) performance standards, defined as the scores students must achieve on the classroom assignments and state tests that demonstrate required mastery. Students who achieve the grade-10 standards, defined in other publications, will receive a Certificate of Initial Mastery and those who achieve grade-12 standards will receive a Certificate of Advanced Mastery. In addition to the goals and standards, this document presents common questions and answers about the state's new curriculum and assessment system, a chart that shows the shared responsibility of parts of the educational system, a timeline for adopting these educational changes, and resource information. (SLD)