The orange bar shows how many schools have the grade currently, the blue bar shows the new grading system
If the new school evaluation system outlined in Senate Bill 316 is approved, most of Ohio’s school districts will be downgraded. In Montgomery County, under the current system nine public school districts are rated “Excellent” or “Excellent with Distinction.”
With the new system, only Oakwood will receive the top grade of “A.” All other Montgomery County schools that now post banners declaring that they are “Excellent,” or “Excellent With Distinction” will be graded “B.” And Vandalia Butler, which now is judged “Excellent” will fall to a grade of “C.”
The new system is based on four components. Each component is graded “A” through “F,” with an “A” worth 4 points, and “B” worth 3 points, etc. For a district to get the “A” grade the total average must be 3.75 or above — meaning 3 “A’s” and 1 “B,” or all “A’s.”
The four components: 1) Percentage of State Indicators Met, 2) Performance Index, 3)Achievement and Graduation Gap and 4) Value-Added.
I think there was a recognition that the rating system was too easy. This one looks much tougher. The thing to do is not keep switch rating systems. I am sure this new system will have some bugs. Instead of immediately throwing in the towel, hard work will be needed to fix those bugs. Slow and steady wins the race.