Sample tests point to a continuous improvement designation for next year

If the predictions prove true, only one city school would remain in academic emergency

District expects a better grade for 2012-13

Youngstown

Based on preliminary data, city school and state officials expect the Youngstown district to move to the equivalent of “continuous improvement” on the 2012-13 state report card.

That’s up one designation from the 2011-12 “academic watch” designation.

Because of changes in the law affecting next year’s report cards, however, districts no longer will be given overall ratings. Instead, letter grades will be assigned to different aspects of each district’s performance.

The announcement came from Jane Sadinski of the district’s state support team, and Doug Hiscox, the district’s deputy superintendent of academic affairs, Thursday at a Youngstown Schools Academic Distress Commission meeting.

It’s based on mirror tests, or tests that use questions from the previous year’s Ohio Graduation and Ohio Achievement Assessment tests, taken by students this year.

Hiscox said many instructional changes have been made in the district this school year.