Trending
HANOVERTON -- The Ohio Department of Education released its annual report cards for school districts across the state on Thursday with United Local Schools earning an overall rating of 3.5 stars.
The state scale describes that rating as "meeting state standards."
In the past a letter grade has been issued. This is the first year Ohio schools and districts received overall ratings of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments for five rated components -- achievement, progress, gap closing, early literacy and graduation.
The state education department said an overall rating of at least 3 stars means a district or school has met state standards.
United Superintendent Lance Hostetler said the district is focused on continued improvement and keeping the bar set high in areas where the district excels.
"Our staff has worked tremendously hard before and after Covid to focus on personal growth for every student and we are extremely excited for all the growth that we see both in traditional academic measures such as the state tests but additionally and more importantly in developing skills that will make them successful leaders in the community and in their own personal passions," Hostetler said. "As a superintendent, I couldn't be more proud of our community and their embrace of authentic learning and its impact on our students."
United scored five stars in graduation, "significantly exceeding state standards in graduation rates." United scored four stars in the gap closing component, a measure of the reduction in educational gaps for student subgroups, also exceeding state standards based on the state department of education scale.
The district met set standards in achievement and early literacy with three stars, but " fell short of in student growth expectations," earning two stars in progress. The district also scored two stars in Early Literacy-- a measure of reading improvement and proficiency for students in kindergarten through third grade.
According to the state department of education, Ohio School Report Cards are designed to give parents, communities, educators and policymakers information about the performance of districts and schools -- to celebrate achievement and success and identify areas for improvement while providing clear and easily available reporting on student performance, driving local conversations on school improvement and identifying schools that need support.
selverd@mojonews.com