LIMA — There is a new report card for Ohio schools. The format has changed since all the data was last reported in 2021. Instead of using letter grades, a star rating system is being used.
Schools will receive star ratings on five components: achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation and early literacy. Another component analyzing college, career, workforce and military readiness will be scored on future report cards, according to the state, beginning with the 2024-25 school year at the earliest.
The report card offers an understanding into which schools are most effectively improving for students, parents, and taxpayers. Schools can earn up to five stars. More stars mean higher achievement, but it’s important to note that three stars means the school met statewide expectations.
The average achievement rating for districts across the state is 3.48 stars. The average progress rating for districts across the state is 2.88 stars. The average gap closing rating for districts across the state is 4.14 stars. The average graduation rating for districts across the state is 3.83 stars. The average early literacy rating for districts across the state is 2.88 stars.
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute states that in the achievement category, 56% of school districts received only one star, 35% received two stars, 5% received three stars, 3% received 4 stars, and 2% received 5 stars. The Progress category identifies schools where students are making significant academic growth from year-to-year. The institute reported that 12% received one star, 13% received two stars, 41% received three stars, 13% received four stars and 21% received five stars.
“Report cards provide information on the progress of districts and schools in raising achievement and preparing students for the future,” state officials said in a news release Tuesday. “The data can be used to guide school improvement and respond to student learning needs.”
Test scores in Ohio remained below pre-pandemic levels, though some improvement is evident in this year’s data. The information shows that 4th grade English Language Arts tests have improved to 62.5 just below the 63.3 score of 2018-2019. High school ELA scores have risen to 61.3 below the pre-COVID score of 66.2. Math scores show a more pronounced difference. 8th grade math scores were up this year to 43.0 but well under the 57.3 score in 2019. High school scores in math were 49.1 well below pre-covid score of 61.1.
Student achievement remains low in urban areas. The Ohio Department of Education provides a listing of similar schools for comparison. Lima Senior ranks the highest of its similar school group. Lima Senior had a score of 59.926; Painesville, 32.506; Whitehall City, 56.637; Sandusky, 58.35; Mansfield 57.98; Warren, 54.851; Maple Heights 45.81; Lorain, 41.61; and Youngstown, 44.9.
There were some schools in the area that improved their building scores. Elida High School raised their performance index from 77.5% to 83.4%. Bath High School raised their PI score from 75.1 to 79.3. Lima Senior raised their score from 50.2 to 51.3.
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Check out our interactive database of school report cards, which also shares individual building ratings, at LimaOhio.com/reportcards.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
