COLUMBUS, Ohio — The traditional school report cards that evaluate achievement and progress at districts throughout Ohio are much different this year.
Instead of schools getting overall grades, the Ohio Department of Education has abbreviated the 2020 report due to “significantly less data” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The report cards also do not include any information about student performance on state tests, the academic growth of students during the school year and the extent to which achievement gaps are being addressed for students,” the Department of Education said in a press release. “This is in keeping with legislation passed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that also canceled the administration of most state tests for the last portion of the 2019-2020 school year.”
There is information, however, on graduation rates and 3rd grade reading. Here is some of the data from three of Northeast Ohio’s largest districts:
CLEVELAND
- 4-year graduation rate: 80.1 percent
- 3rd grade reading guarantee (how many met requirements): 94.6 percent
AKRON
- 4-year graduation rate: 80.2 percent
- 3rd grade reading guarantee: 99.7 percent
CANTON
- 4-year graduation rate: 77.2 percent
- 3rd grade reading guarantee: 100 percent
To see how your school / district rated in this latest report card, CLICK HERE to explore the statewide data.
“While schools have less information available than in years past, we still emphasize the importance of gauging where students are in terms of academic achievement and using available district data to inform improvement to instruction,” said Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction. “The education community’s goal is to carry forward the teamwork, collaboration and care we’ve seen since last spring through this new academic year and beyond. We have never been more focused, united and determined to ensure each child is challenged to learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling post-high school path and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner who contributes to society.”
Officials also noted continued improvement in the high school graduation rate throughout Ohio.
“The four-year graduation rate stands at 85.9 percent for the Class of 2019, up from 85.3 percent the previous year. This is an increase of 7.9 percent since 2010.”
More students are also meeting the “Prepared for Success” measure, increasing to 42 percent with 3,994 more students contributing points to the readiness indicators compared to last year. The statewide percentage has increased every year this measure has been reported – up 7.8 percent since 2016.
“Given the limited data available on the report cards this year, it will be challenging to gauge how well a particular school or district is performing. All the more reason individuals interested in understanding school performance should talk with parents, students, teachers and graduates for insight into what a school really means to students, families and the community.”
