OHIO SCHOOLS Youngstown, Warren, E. Liverpool improve in ratings

Report cards are available at www.ode.state.oh.us.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Three local school districts that had been rated in "academic emergency" by the Ohio Department of Education have earned an improved "academic watch" rating.
The increase in the ratings of the Youngstown, Warren and East Liverpool school districts was announced when the state released its fifth round of school report card ratings since February 2000.
"We still have much to do," said Youngstown Superintendent Benjamin L. McGee. "... But this really is something that creates some hope rather than hopelessness."
Although the district met only two of the report card's 22 state indicators -- based on 2002-2003 proficiency test performance, attendance and graduation rate -- it has shown significant improvement, earning it the higher rating. It is the first time Youngstown has stepped out of academic emergency.
Performance index score
Warren and East Liverpool earned their ratings based on a new "performance index score" that gives schools a score of up to 120 based on individual student performance.
Although Warren met just one of the 22 state indicators, it received a 71.9 performance index score -- high enough for the new rating.
East Liverpool met five of the 22 indicators but earned a performance index of 72.9.
Schools that score above 69 on the performance index receive an academic watch rating regardless of the number of indicators met.
Youngstown's increase is based on a new "growth calculation" that allows schools in academic emergency or academic watch to move up a rating if they show significant improvement over the prior two years -- the calculation uses the performance index score. To be moved up a rating means that Youngstown's performance index score -- 64.6 -- is at least 10 points over the 2000-2001 score and three points over the 2001-2002 score.
Better test scores
"We are experiencing significant growth in test scores," McGee said. "While we may not be meeting the number of standards, another way of measuring a district's performance is to look at this growth standard."
McGee said the collaboration of teachers, work of staff, parental involvement and community partnerships have made the difference.
Report cards were released at www.ode.state.oh.us for each state district and individual school building.
Although report cards were released in January in prior years, state officials made the change to an August release to allow parents time to partake in school choice options if schools rate poorly.