RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: How It All Works

8.15.2005

How It All Works

A few of my friends teach in public school systems throughout Ohio, so I've been hearing about state report cards a lot over the past few weeks. But what do they mean and how are grades given?

Well the grades aren't really grades. There are 5 ratings that schools can get: Excellent, Effective, Continuous Improvement, Academic Watch or Academic Emergency. Like in real life, if your grades suck someone steps in to tutor you on how to run your school; in the case of the school districts, the state is the acting tutor.

The "grades" are based on the following:

Indicators. Grades are given based on how well districts and schools perform on standardized tests, and attendance and graduation rates. This will be the first year the Ohio Graduation Test -- a new, 10th-grade exam -- counts.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Districts and schools must show progress among all students and among certain groups of students. This goal mainly focuses on math and reading scores.

Performance Index. This measure gives credit for how each student -- even those who don't pass -- performs on standardized tests.

Sounds confusing? Imagine being a teacher or administrator. These five simple phrases determine if you're doing your job well or not. Not to mention that AYP is based on "No Child Left Behind," which in the opinions of the teachers I've talked to is doing more harm then good. If you don't reach AYP, the penalty ranges from offering tutors to grade dropping to conversion to a charter school.

The BJ :: Schools await report cards

(joe :: How It All Works)

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