In Valley, 91% pass Ohio reading test

Canfield posted the highest scores on the fourth- and sixth-grade proficiency tests.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
After two tries, 91 percent of Mahoning Valley fourth-graders have passed the state reading proficiency test, but more than 500 are still performing at the lowest level.
Of the 6,181 fourth-grade children in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, 5,655 scored at or above the "basic" level.
On the other hand, 526, or 9 percent, scored in the "below basic" category after taking the test for the second time in March. Nearly half of those children (204) are in the Youngstown public schools.
The reading scores were among hundreds of fourth- and sixth-grade proficiency test results released Friday afternoon by the Ohio Department of Education. The scores are available on the department's Web site at www.ode.state.oh.us.
Ohio fourth-graders took the reading proficiency test in October and March and will get a third chance in July. The state's fourth-grade reading guarantee, which goes into effect this year, requires pupils to score at or above the "basic" level.
If a child does not, school districts have three options: Retain the child in fourth grade; promote the child to fifth grade with the permission of the reading teacher and principal; promote the child but with special intensive intervention.
Various approaches
Niles school officials have decided to hold back all fourth-graders not reaching the "basic" level, Superintendent Patrick Guliano said. After two tries, 15 Niles fourth-graders remain "below basic."
"Our policy is: If you don't pass it, you don't go to the fifth grade," he said. "Very simple. I know there are a lot of districts who aren't taking that hard line. We are."
Guliano said the 15 failing fourth-graders can attend intensive summer school classes later this month and in early July to prepare for the third attempt.
"We do not want to pass somebody on who's not prepared," he said. "If the issue is not addressed now at this age, I don't know when it will be."
Educators at other school districts said they disagree with that approach.
In Campbell, where 19 fourth-graders are still "below basic," school leaders are developing a promotion policy that will take into account more than the reading test scores, said Kathleen Yeloushan, elementary principal.
"We're looking at the children in many, many different ways ... to see if we indeed believe they can go on and be successful or not," she said.
Lou Ramunno, West Branch schools superintendent, said the proficiency test should not be the only factor for promotion. Ten West Branch fourth-graders are at the "below basic" level.
"I don't believe that one test is a summative accumulation of what a kid needs to be or who he is," Ramunno said.
Tony DiRenzo, executive director of school improvement for the Youngstown public schools, said the city schools also will look at several factors, not just the reading scores.
"[The test] is just one part of the child," he said.
Other results
In addition to reading, fourth-graders took exams in writing, math, citizenship and science in March.
Eighty-six percent of Canfield fourth-graders passed all five parts, by far the highest overall passage rate in the tri-county and one of the highest in the state.
The next-highest passage rate among Mahoning Valley school districts was 74 percent in South Range. Statewide, the rate was 43 percent.
"The teachers are a bit incredulous" of the scores, said Dante Zambrini, Canfield assistant superintendent.
"We've spent a great deal of time analyzing our curriculum and making sure it's in alignment with what kids should know," Canfield Superintendent Doug Hiscox said.
Canfield's 77 percent overall passage rate on the five-part sixth-grade proficiency test also was the highest in the Mahoning Valley. The next-highest was 71 percent in Columbiana; the statewide rate was 43 percent.