PRINT ARTICLE

Print    Close This Window
Preliminary Report Card Released

FAIRLAND

For the third time in a row Fairland schools pulled an excellent rating overall for the district. The district met all 26 of its indicators, the only district in Lawrence County to do so. Last year it met only 23 indicators. It met its adequate yearly progress but was below its value added growth. Graduation rate was 92 percent, almost three above the state standard.

Fairland East Elementary was not rated but met its adequate yearly progress. Fairland West was rated excellent and met its adequate yearly progress and value added growth. All grades at that elementary surpassed the state standard with third grade math hitting 97.4 percent and reading at 95.7 percent. The lowest score was fifth grade math at 80 percent, which is still 5 percentage points above the standard.

Both the high school and middle school pulled excellent ratings and met their adequate yearly progress. The lowest score at the high school was 10th grade science at 75.8 percent, just above the standard, and the highest score was 11th grade writing at 95.5.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a Dragon, Roni Hayes Fairland superintendent said. “Our district met 100 percent of the indicators and AYP on this year’s report card. In our efforts to maintain high standards of excellence, I recognize that it takes exceptional students and staff, informed parents and involved community members to create the best possible learning environment for our children. There is still work to do but we are focused on continuous improvement and determined to offer our students an educational experience that is both challenging and rewarding.”

The ODE has been issuing its annual state report cards since 1999.

Ratings are computed based on State Indicators, Performance Index, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and

Value-Added data. These four components measure the achievement and progress of students within a school building or school district.

There are six designations for schools and districts: Excellent with Distinction, Excellent, Effective, Continuous Improvement, Academic Watch and Academic Emergency.

There are 26 performance indicators that districts or schools can earn. Points are achieved by meeting or exceeding the goal of 75 percent proficient or above on achievement tests taken by students between the third and eighth grades and scores 11th graders receive on the Ohio Graduation Test that meet or exceed the goal of 85 percent proficient.

Points are also awarded for attendance meeting or exceeding 90 percent district wide and graduation rates for seniors meeting or exceeding 90 percent.

Schools are also assigned a performance index score. This measure rewards the achievements of every student — not just the ones who score proficient or higher.

Districts and schools earn points based on how well each student does on all tested subjects in grades 3-8 and the 10th grade Ohio Graduation Test.

All achievement tests have five performance levels: advanced, accelerated, proficient, basic and limited.

A students score at the advanced level earns 1.2 points, while accelerated earns 1.1 point and proficient earns 1.0 points. A basic score earns 0.6 points while a limited score earns 0.3 points. Students who are not tested receive zero points. Each weighted score is multiplied by the percentage of student scores at that level to generate a district’s or school’s performance index.

Districts are also judged on whether it met its goals for adequate yearly progress (AYP). The AYP category makes sure subgroups such as special education; economically challenged students and minorities are passing certain tests. One subgroup failing to meet its mark will result in a lower report card score.

Ironton Tribune - Benita Heath