Putnam sophomores master OGT will little problem

PANDORA - There are no more worries about passing the Ohio Graduation Test for the majority of Pandora-Gilboa students who took the test for the first time in the spring.

Just two sophomores did not pass all five portions of the test, meaning that 95.5 percent passed and won't have to take any part of the test again.

"There is a lot of factors that go into it," Superintendent Dale Lewellen said. "I just think that the students, the parents, the teachers and the community have all been working very hard to make these improvements and I think that work is beginning to culminate."

The school is ranked third in the state, followed by Miller City-New Cleveland schools, where 94.9 percent of sophomores passed all five sections.

Kalida schools is not far behind at 17th, with 90 percent having passed. Lima Central Catholic High School also saw 90 percent pass, but is not included in the state's ranking.

Students begin taking the state-mandated test as sophomores, and have numerous chances to take it through their senior year. Students must pass all five sections of the test to graduate. They are tested in math, reading, writing, science and social studies.

The highest Allen County school is 47th-ranked Bluffton, where 86.2 percent passed all sections. Minster, ranked 21st, had 89.2 percent pass, the highest in Auglaize County.

Kenton and Lima schools have the fewest passing all portions in the region, with 50.3 percent and 31.2 percent doing so. Other urban districts, including Cleveland, Dayton and Youngstown, fell below Lima.

Kalida Superintendent Mark Neal said it's nice for students and staff when there aren't many students needing to keep taking the test.

"The longer it takes them to pass, the more time it is out of class," he said. "Not to mention the worry for kids."

Lewellen said districts have to credit all staff members in helping students achieve and do well on state tests.

"You don't achieve those results just with your ninth- and 10th-grade teachers," he said. "That is a kindergarten through 10th-grade effort."

While he credits students and teachers, Neal also believes family support in Putnam County makes a big difference in test results.

"We have families who take a legitimate interest and responsibility in their kids' education," he said. "There is an expectation for kids to succeed from the entire community."