The 2014-15 school year comes with new, tougher standardized tests. But before spring and the launch of the Common Core-aligned exams, students and parents will notice a lot of changes across Central Oregon.

In Bend-La Pine Schools, about 5,000 students will be receiving their own iPads for use in class and at home. This new rollout builds on about 3,800 devices already passed out by the district to students at eight schools.

In the Sisters School District, all incoming sixth-graders will receive Chromebooks for use in class, expanding a pilot program that gave devices to last year’s sixth-grade class. The district is also working to expand its Chinese language instruction program, hosting four teachers this year who will teach up to a college level.

Parents who have children attending a middle or high school in the Redmond School District will now have an easier time managing their bills, at least those incurred by their students. The district is launching a new payment portal that can be used for costs including sports and class fees. While it won’t yet cover lunch, parents will only have to manage one login for all their kids.

Changes in the Culver School District will be impossible to miss, as the district’s aging upper-elementary wing is being razed to make way for a new building. Until the new space is ready the following school year, older elementary and some high school classes will meet in trailers on the district’s campus. Culver is also continuing to rev up its project-based learning initiative, which focuses on tying instruction to the completion of long-term projects.

The big news in the Jefferson County School District is the opening of the Warm Springs K-8 Academy. However, the district also will be opening up a new sports complex next to the high school with seating for about 700. Jefferson County’s digital infrastructure will be getting an upgrade, as a new student information system, entitled “Illuminate,” will be launching at Madras High to allow parents to better track their students’ progress.

In the Crook County School District, Ochoco Elementary will expand its dual language immersion program to add fourth grade. Crook County Middle School will see the addition of sixth-grade art and eighth-grade Spanish to its elective offerings. The middle school will also offer three new clubs to its students: drama club, art club and technology club.

Construction is continuing on Barnes Butte Elementary, which will be open in the fall of 2015. Crook County High School now has a total of six tennis courts, after two more were added to the existing four this summer. The four original courts were also replaced.

— Leeds: 541-633-2160, tleeds@bendbulletin.com

— Kehoe: 541-383-0354, mkehoe@bendbulletin.com.