43
Mixed bag in Ohio: Marks show gains, declines from ’09
By MARC KOVAC
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s high school graduation rate dropped, and fifth-graders statewide failed to meet set standards in reading, math and science.
But more school districts earned higher ratings, and the state met a higher percentage of education performance indicators in 2009-10 than in prior years.
That’s according to statewide, districtwide and school-specific report-card ratings released Friday by the Ohio Department of Education.
The report cards are released annually and allow parents, teachers and policymakers to track students’ and schools’ progress.
“It is important to recognize the significant academic gains made by students, even if they have not yet met the proficiency target,” said Deborah S. Delisle, superintendent of public instruction. “By demonstrating progress over time, educators can show these students that their efforts are paying off and identify ways to continue making progress in the classroom. More importantly, parents can be kept informed of their children’s progress throughout the year.”
Statistics are compiled using reading, mathematics, writing, social studies and science test scores, graduation rates, enrollment in college preparation courses and other factors. Complete results are available online at www.ode.state.oh.us.
On the plus side, more districts received ratings of “effective” or higher compared to last year’s report card release. Only one district (Youngstown City Schools) remained in academic emergency, the lowest ranking available.
And the state met 18 of 26 indicators, meaning students were proficient in reading, math and other subjects at most grade levels.
The exception was fifth-grade, where none of the three standards were met. Additionally, students fell short in seventh-grade math, eighth-grade math and science, on the science portion of the 10th grade Ohio Graduation Test and in graduation rates.
The latter dropped to 83 percent from 84.6 percent in 2007-08 and 86.9 pecent in 2006-07. It was the third consecutive decline in annual graduation rates and the lowest since 2002-03.
“The graduation rate is clearly a source of concern for the Department of Education, and it is a key priority for us...,” Delisle said. “For me, it is not acceptable for Ohio students to not graduate.”