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Lower graduation rate concerns are statewide for the class of 2018
Youngstown and Warren public schools already have received an “F” for their graduation rates.
And with state changes set to affect their Class of 2018 students, officials from both schools are concerned the grades are not going to get any better.
Previously, students had to pass just the Ohio Graduation Test. Starting with the 2018 class, they must take seven more demanding end-of-course exams to earn points toward a total needed for graduation.
The points aren’t coming.
Timothy Filipovich, executive director of teaching and learning for Youngstown schools, said new and evolving testing practices are forcing teachers and administrators to look at what they are and aren’t doing and adjust appropriately.
The state board of education members “have given them the opportunity to succeed in various ways but have not necessarily given enough time to put certain processes in place,” he said.
Dante Capers, principal at Warren G. Harding High School, said he understands the need for change and wants to increase standards, but his heart goes out to the students.
“The [state board’s] efforts were noble but not in the best interests of those kids,” he said. “Graduation rates are one thing, but behind those points are individual kids.”
Capers said much like most other schools, he has concerns about the “timing of the new tests as far as high-stakes consequences right out of the gate,” such as failing to graduate.
“There are pretty high-stakes consequences with something so new,” he said. “I think it’s kind of a disservice to students without having a period of adjustment, without phasing in [the tests] or working up to those points.”
Capers said his junior students are behind where they typically have been in the past. Many intervention opportunities have been put into place to help students move forward.
Joseph Krumpak, Chaney High School principal, mirrored Capers’ discontent.
He said if graduation requirements go unchanged, the new testing standards definitely will have a negative impact on the class of 2018’s graduation rate.
Graduation requirements include a minimum of 20 required credits and meeting one of three standards:
Passing state tests by earning a cumulative passing score of 18 points, using seven end-of-course state tests.
Earning 12 points through a state board of education-approved, industry-recognized credential or group of credentials in a single career field and achieving a workforce readiness score.
Earning “remediation-free” scores in English language arts and mathematics on a nationally recognized college admission exam.
To combat the unwanted graduation rate decrease, Krumpak is working with other administrators and teachers to implement different interventions and programs to prepare his students.
“We will continue to review and work toward our district testing goals,” said Denise Vaclav Danko, East High School principal.
Danko said new assessments are meant to be implemented in a transitional sense, and now every school district will have to transition together.
Ohio school leaders rallied in Columbus last week about the looming problem. State education officials are examining some adjustments to the new requirements.